He played for the reserve side, Peel Thunder in the WAFL for his first season at the club.[2] In Round 1 of the 2024 AFL seasonFremantle conceded two injuries to key defenders Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald.[3] This provided Draper with his opportunity to debut for the senior team in round 2 of the 2024 AFL season in a game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.[4] On debut, Draper collected 7 disposals in a 26 point win away from home.[5] Due to this solid performance on debut, Draper kept his spot in the team for Fremantle's round 3 clash with Adelaide in the west. Draper played even better in this match collecting 14 disposals and 4 marks. Josh made the journey east for Fremantle's two week stint in Adelaide, first facing Carlton in the Gather Round, and Port Adelaide the following week. Perhaps his best game came in round sixteen against Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With Fremantle captain Alex Pearce missing the game due to injury, Draper was tasked with playing on some of the Swans most dangerous forwards and was instrumental in the one point win. He finished with 14 disposals and a career-high 11 spoils.[6] He received a 2024 AFL Rising Star nomination for his career-high 18 disposal game at 94 per cent efficiency during Western Derby 59.[7] He signed a two-year contract extension on August 12th to remain at Fremantle until at least the end of 2027.[8]
