VFL\/AFL legend Leigh Matthews has said Essendon have got a \u201cbeauty\u201d in emerging ruckman Sam Draper.<\/p>\n
Draper\u2019s raw talent was on display in the Bombers\u2019 48-point win over Gold Coast, kicking one of the goals of the season after a wonderful solo run and finish.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old\u2019s agility at ground level reminds Matthews of one of his former legendary Hawthorn teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love ruckmen who do more than hit-outs,\u201d Matthews told Sportsday<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI mentioned the fact that Don Scott, who was the ruckman when I played at Hawthorn for most of the time I played, he was inducted as a Legend into the Hall of Fame for Hawthorn on Friday night.<\/p>\n \u201cI love ruckmen who are big, powerful, aggressive and if they\u2019ve got a bit of agility at ground level, gee, they\u2019re valuable.<\/p>\n \u201cDon Scott had that and certainly Sam Draper has.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve just got to remind yourself he\u2019s 23 and played 30-odd games. He\u2019s a beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n Essendon coach Ben Rutten sees Draper shouldering a larger portion of the ruck duties in the coming years.<\/p>\n The Bombers cult figure has played 38 games since making his AFL debut in 2020.<\/p>\n