Fremantle defender Josh Draper opens up about AFL debut, playing on Charlie Curnow, his family history and finding his feet in defence

His mum Aynalem is a refuge. Born in Ethiopia, she fled in 1994 amid political instability and has since lived in Egypt, New Zealand and Sydney before deciding to settle in Perth.

Standing at 197cm, Draper could’ve chosen basketball. He represented Western Australia and won a gold medal at the national under-18s championships.

When it came to football, Draper came through the pathway as a powerful key forward and ruck. And that’s what most thought he’d develop into at AFL level.

And even when Fremantle decided to transform him into a backman after drafting him from its NGA Program back in 2022, the Dockers anticipated that they’d have plenty of time to teach him the ways of defence.

But things don’t always pan out as intended.

Serious injuries to Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald in round one against Brisbane meant Fremantle was lacking in defensive depth. And despite being in just his second year of senior football, Draper was the man called upon to fill the void, making his debut against North Melbourne in round two.

“Words can’t explain what I was feeling,” Draper said. “It’s been my dream to play AFL.

“From a family point of view, all the struggles we’ve been through, we’re a team and they ride the highs and lows with me. I’ve had so much support from the club and my family.”

Watching Draper turn five of his seven possessions on debut into intercepts was like stepping into a time machine. There’s a lot of fate in football and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir was the first to pick up on the similarities between Draper and the last defender to wear Fremantle’s number 37.

“He is really composed and he’s defended really well,” Longmuir said after Draper’s second game against Adelaide. “He’s like the old No. 37 (Michael Johnson) in some ways, he just finds a bit more time than some other players can.”

It’s no secret why. Draper credits Johnson as one of the reasons he’s on an AFL list.

“It’s such an honour to be compared to him,” Draper said of Longmuir’s link. “Correct me if I’m wrong but he’s a 244-game player.

“He’s helped me with my development as well. He was the backline coach at the State Academy and helped me with my aerial game and also through the NGA. It’s crazy how everything ties together.

“I’ve got him on socials so if I ever need advice, I can always go to him and he’ll pick up his phone.”

Draper’s introduction to the AFL has been far from easy. Against North Melbourne, he helped quell Callum Coleman-Jones and Cam Zurhaar. In round two against Adelaide, it was Darcy Fogarty and Chris Burgess. The following week, he had to play on two-time Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow whom he held goalless in the first half. Last week, Draper was confronted by Port pair Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades.

It doesn’t get much harder than that. But Draper says it’s nothing he hasn’t faced before.

“I think in my first game, I was just trying to adapt to the speed of the game,” he said. “But it wasn’t really new to me because I train against the best here at Freo.

“I play against Jye Amiss, Luke Jackson, Matt Taberner and those types. It feels no different to our intraclubs or training.

“It’s been pretty surreal. Two weeks ago I played against Charlie Curnow. I couldn’t believe it. He was one of my favourite players growing up.

“I took a lot out of that game. I gained a lot of confidence knowing that I can play against the best. It’s just that execution that I need to work on and be able to trust and believe in myself.

“I feel at home back there and I’m not afraid to make mistakes. It’s good for my development.”

An integral part of an undermanned but so far impressive backline, Draper has also had support from the man currently tipped to be this year’s All-Australian fullback in Alex Pearce.

“He’s been a really good mentor,” Draper said. “He’s leading from the front, especially with his contest.

“I love watching him go at it. He’s someone I love working with.

“I want to bring the physical side from his game into my game. He gets his job done but he also sets up the whole backline and the mids. He’s been unreal.”

In another universe, Draper would be going head-to-head with Pearce at training after impressing as a key forward throughout his draft year. Instead, after some hesitation, they’re brothers in arms down back.

“For Peel Thunder and the State Academy I played up forward,” Draper said. “It taught me how to play in front of the ball.

“Then when I came to Freo, they saw my strengths in front of the ball and thought I could make a good defender. I was a bit shook at first because I’d never played back before or been a defensive player.

“I started to learn the backline and I’ve had so many good players down there like Alex Pearce, Brennan Cox, Luke Ryan all helping me which has made it so much easier.

“I’m loving it down back. I think it was a good move for me.”

The next item on Draper’s AFL bucket list? A Western Derby.

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The 20-year-old can’t wait to experience the cut and thrust of WA footy’s biggest rivalry.

“Growing up in WA, I’ve always watched the derbies,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play in one. I think it will be really exciting.

“It’s a very good rivalry. West Coast is up and about. They had a good win against Richmond. They’re firing. It’ll be a good experience to play my first derby and hopefully, we get the four points.”