As Crows draftee Sid Draper warmed up along the boundary line at Adelaide Oval on Sunday, he couldn’t help but smile.

Draper was not only preparing to make his AFL debut in Adelaide’s clash against St Kilda, but was about to do so for the team he barracked for growing up.

Speaking to AFC media post-game, Draper said hearing the crowd of almost 43,000 cheer as he came on during the third quarter, as well as when he touched the ball, made the experience even more special.

“It’s hard to put into words because you’re living out your dream and you’re trying to stay in the moment,” Draper said.

“It’s just amazing, everything about it - the boys being so supportive, the crowd cheering when I came on, playing against a real AFL team - it was just so special.

“It was hard not to smile. I smiled when I was warming up and they all cheered, so I definitely noticed it.

“To play my first game for the team I grew up supporting was just amazing.”

The Crows selected the midfielder with Pick No.4 at the 2024 AFL National Draft after he put together two strong seasons with South Adelaide, which began when he captained the club’s under-18s to a flag.

In 2024, the powerful inside mid proved himself at senior level for the Panthers, averaging 22 disposals and five clearances in six SANFL games, after overcoming some early-season injury woes.

The Crows announced on Thursday that Draper would be selected to play in Round One after a solid summer, particularly impressing in the final pre-season hit-out against Brisbane, amassing 14 disposals and five clearances from just two quarters.

Two-time Premiership player Nigel Smart presented the 18-year-old with his guernsey pre-game, with Draper’s family in the rooms watching on.

Draper said it felt like a full-circle moment, after his parents had watched and followed Smart during his career.

“It was so good to have Nigel Smart present me with my guernsey,” Draper said.

“He was playing when Mum and Dad were watching the Crows in the 1997 and 1998 Grand Final, so that was really special.

“Dad also said a couple of words beforehand and it just sort of sunk in that as much as it is my journey, they’ve been a part of it and I can’t be more thankful for them and what they’ve done along the way.”

Draper finished the Crows’ 63-point win with eight disposals, two tackles, four marks and two clearances, after being injected into the game mid-way through the third term.

He said making his debut as a substitute made the transition from State League footy to the AFL easier and getting a win capped a perfect day.

“It’s definitely a lot quicker than I’m used to,” Draper said.

“Coming on late in the third quarter, though, the sting was out of it a bit, but that was pretty fortunate for me, I was able to use my speed and have a bit of an impact.

“It’s so special to get that win - not just for me but for the team as well - to start off so well this year when we are chasing success.

“I’ve seen the song being sung so many times on TV and now I’m actually singing the song with the buoys after a win and my first game, it’s so surreal.”

The Crows will now prepare to travel to Melbourne for their Round Two game against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday.