Since the back end of 2021, the Eagles have won only 10 of 67 games, a record some would say is catastrophic.

Freo wields a weapon in Josh Draper

Saturday afternoon, away from home, against the might of Sydney who entered the game three games clear on top of the ladder on the back of 10 straight wins. There are not too many more daunting or imposing settings for a young player to announce themselves as a future star.

And that’s exactly what Joshua Draper did.

The 20-year-old was recalled to replace Alex Pearce, delivering a performance no doubt the injured skipper would have been mighty proud of.

As the Swans threw everything at the Dockers in the final quarter, Draper held a cool head, calm in the unfolding crisis against a bigger and more senior opponent. Out-marking Hayden McLean, he would moments later again thrive in a one-on-one contest, in the goal square, forcing a behind as Fremantle held on to record a stunning upset victory. Draper reminds me of Dockers great Michael Johnson.

Tall, skinny, raw, athletic, with undeniable talent and upside.

Post-game, Nat Fyfe described Draper as a “weapon”.

Sure, Draper’s no Johnson, he has a long way to go to be a 244-game champion and All Australian.

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But what he’s shown to date since debuting this year has Freo fans excited.

Draper wasn’t the only shining light on a day they announced their top four credentials. Justin Longmuir had a brilliant day, outcoaching John Longmire, one of the best in the game. His decision to send Nat Fyfe to Isaac Heeney was a masterstroke which paid off, so too Jaeger O’Meara to Errol Gulden.

Two experienced players, both past their prime years, but who were handed roles for the greater good of the team and executed them.

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