Born in Camperdown, in inner-western Sydney into a working-class family of nine boys, he played junior football for the East Hills Bulldogs before representing Canterbury's President’s Cup side in 1964.

The younger brother of the legendary Johnny Raper, he gave great service as a lock forward for Canterbury-Bankstown joining them in 1964.

Injuries finally caught up with Raper in 1971 and after losing his first grade position midway through 1972, he left the club to play for Ryde-Eastwood for the remainder of the season leading them to the Second Division Premiership.

He represented Queensland in two appearances that year and was unlucky to miss selection on the 1973 Kangaroo tour after breaking his arm in Redcliffe's BRL grand final loss to Valleys.

On Sunday 31 July 2016, Raper received the great honour of having the old seniors field at Purtell Park, Bardon named after him.