Oscar Allen and Sam Draper chase first premierships in Grand Final
Allen and Draper are Brisbane's only players without a flag, playing their first season after joining from West Coast and Essendon.
Oscar Allen spent eight years at West Coast. Sam Draper spent nine at Essendon.
Oscar Allen and Sam Draper came to Brisbane as free agents after this year's trade period looking for a fresh start. On Saturday, they'll share the MCG as the only two Lions yet to win a premiership.
The pair became fast friends, living 200 metres apart and carpooling to training for the first four months. Both had injury troubles early in the season.
Allen's foot problem cost him three months. Draper tore his Achilles late last year and missed opening round.
Brisbane's medical team got both ready: Allen got enough games before finals, Draper has played every game since to reach the Grand Final. "I knew I'd made the right call before the season started," Draper said.
"I've played every game and we're in a Grand Final."
- 8
- Allen's West Coast years
- 9
- Draper's Essendon years
- 200 metres
- Distance between homes
- Saturday
- Grand Final date
Why it mattersThe Grand Final is Saturday. These two newcomers are the last piece of a club chasing back-to-back premierships after winning last year.
AustraliaAustralians follow the AFL Grand Final closely. Two stories converging, new players getting their first flag and Brisbane defending its title, make Saturday's match bigger.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 18 h ago
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