Josh Draper

Joshua Draper was born on February 8, 2004, and embarked on his Australian rules football journey through Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy (NGA). His early career included playing for the Peel Thunder Football Club’s reserve side in the WAFL. Draper’s athleticism, particularly in jumping, was noted during state combine testing, demonstrating his potential for high-level play. He chose to prioritize football over a promising basketball career, a decision that led him to being signed as a Category B Rookie by Fremantle during the 2022 AFL draft.

Draper made his AFL debut in Round 2 of the 2024 season against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, following injuries to key defenders Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald. He collected 7 disposals in his debut match. His performance improved in a subsequent game against Adelaide, where he recorded 14 disposals and 4 marks. A significant turning point in his early career came in Round 16 against Sydney, where he was tasked with playing on dangerous forwards due to captain Alex Pearce’s absence. In this game, he was instrumental in a one-point victory, finishing with 14 disposals and a career-high 11 spoils.

His consistent and strong performances in 2024 led to him earning the Round 20 AFL Rising Star nomination after an 18-disposal, four-mark performance against West Coast in the RAC Derby. Draper’s contributions were further recognized with his inclusion in the AFL’s 22under22 team for 2024 and by winning the Beacon Award at the Doig Medal, designating him as Fremantle’s most promising young player. On August 12, 2024, he signed a two-year contract extension, committing to Fremantle until at least the end of 2027.