A Tactical Shift for the Big Stage
Brisbane Lions ruckman Sam Draper is entering his first AFL Grand Final with a renewed tactical philosophy, shaped by early-career lessons that nearly derailed his development. As the Lions prepare to face the Fremantle Dockers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Saturday, Draper is looking past the individual brilliance of Fremantle’s Luke Jackson to focus on his own contribution to the team’s premiership bid, as reported by Inner East Review.
The underlying reporting is available from innereastreview.com.au.
Jackson, widely regarded as one of the competition’s premier big men, has been a central figure in Fremantle’s path to their first-ever grand final. Described by Draper as a “genuine match-winner” and a “freak” for his unusual mobility and goal-kicking ability for a ruckman, Jackson has been instrumental in the Dockers’ recent finals victories over Geelong and Sydney. According to Australian Associated Press, Jackson’s ability to influence games was famously demonstrated during his 2021 third-quarter burst while playing for Melbourne.
Learning from Past Mistakes
Draper’s approach to the upcoming matchup is informed by his experience against veteran ruckman Max Gawn in 2021. “I just was worried about him the whole time, and wasn’t worried about my own game,” Draper recalled. “He absolutely towelled me up, and I got nowhere near it.” The experience proved to be a turning point, teaching Draper that over-focusing on an opponent’s strengths can be counterproductive.
“I’ve learned as I got older in my career, it’s all about what I can bring, and then the game will go from there,” Draper noted. The two players previously met in round 12, where they effectively broke even in a match that saw the Dockers secure a 25-point victory at the Gabba.
The Stakes at the MCG
The 2026 AFL Grand Final carries historic weight for both clubs. The Brisbane Lions are aiming for a historic three-peat, having secured back-to-back flags against Sydney and Geelong, while the Fremantle Dockers are chasing their inaugural league premiership, per Suara Garut. The match is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. AEST at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The midfield battle is expected to be a defining feature of the match. Both teams have demonstrated deep midfield rotations and the capacity for high-scoring center clearances. However, Brisbane’s ability to concede quickly—a vulnerability highlighted during their preliminary final win over Hawthorn—remains a concern. Draper emphasized that the team has “learned a lot” from that match, particularly regarding the critical nature of the center bounce.