4. Cooper Duff-Tytler, West Coast
Cooper Duff-Tytler said: “I played a lot of basketball when I was 14,15 and 16 and I was lucky enough to play for Australia and it was a tough choice between footy, but can’t complain now.
Duff-Tytler said he modelled his game after new saint Tom De Koning.
5. Dylan Patterson, Gold Coast
What Patterson said: “I’m pretty glad with the decision I made [to not choose rugby].” Likened to Andrew McLeod, Patterson rejected NRL clubs’ overtures to stay on the AFL path.
6. Daniel Annable, Brisbane Lions
What Annable said: “Jaspa Fletcher’s been checking in quite often, [he’s] obviously a gun of the competition and [I’m] looking forward to working with him.”
7. Sam Cumming, Richmond
What Cumming said: “Mum reckons I get all the talent from her, [and] Dad was alright as well,” he joked. Cumming said he loved playing in the under-18 championships for South Australia and was looking forward to playing for Richmond.
8. Sam Grlj, Richmond
What Grlj said: “I think this just means so much to my family… I’ve brought 15 people [along]. I probably wasn’t going to get drafted 12 months ago, [and] to be here now, I’m feeling really proud of myself.” Grlj, who was emotional in his interview with Fox Footy, then laughed when asked about his surname. “The boys down at Oakley love calling me to ‘the Sizzle’,” he said with a laugh.
9. Sullivan Robey, Essendon
What Robey said: “It’s obviously pretty remarkable – I never thought at the start of the year that I’d be here on draft night with my family and friends. It’s an awesome journey, I’m, very proud.” Robey joked he was a bit of a “late bloomer” when he belatedly burst onto the scene for the Ranges mid-season.
10. Jacob Farrow, Essendon
What Farrow said: Farrow described himself as “footyhead”, adding: “When I’m not playing on the weekend, I put my feet up on the couch and watch the game that’s on.”
Farrow thanked his parents for all the support and said he could not be more grateful for them.
11. Xavier Taylor, Melbourne
What Taylor said: ”It’s my journey but it’s theirs as well [family] and I’m so happy to be able to share it with all of them.” Taylor said he already had a Demons tattoo and was hoping to add a premiership one.
12. Latrelle Pickett, Melbourne
What Pickett said: “I was a late-call up and wasn’t really meant to say anything to family and they actually had to sneak in tonight, but it all worked.” Pickett’s cousin, Kysaiah Pickett, was also a No.12 pick. Latrelle said his cousin was one of his heros and had been taking to him every day in the lead-up
13. Dyson Sharp, Essendon
What Sharp said: “It’s a dream come true – little six-year-old me would be over the moon right now,” he said, with the lifelong Dons fan presented his red-and-black guernsey by his idol, and namesake, Dyson Heppell. “I’m speechless really,” he said.
14. Harry Kyle, Sydney
What the Swans said about Kyle (who didn’t speak): “An incredible story after joining our QBE Swans Academy program just last year. Welcome Harry!”
15. Oskar Taylor, GWS
What Taylor said: “It feels unbelievable – it’s so special to have everyone here, my friends and family.”
Taylor told Fox Footy he “didn’t have a clue” he’d be heading to GWS and joked his mum had bought a few different scarves, just in case.
16. Lachy Dovaston, North Melbourne
What Dovaston said: “I’ve got some [goal celebrations] saved in for next year – I’ve watched some NBA so will try and copy them.”
Dovaston actually said he was happy to be compared to Nick Watson, otherwise known as “the Wizard”.
“If I could be something like him [Watson], that would be awesome,” Dovaston said.
17. Jai Murray, Gold Coast
18. Beau Addinsall, Gold Coast
19. Josh Lindsay, West Coast
What Lindsay said: “It’s been a pretty long night, I’ve been sitting down since 7pm and it’s 9pm now, but it’s been unreal.”
Lindsay said he was keen to move to Perth and said his parents remained the biggest influences on his career.
“Troy Selwood, who passed away earlier this year, was huge for me – he probably got me to this position today, I couldn’t be more grateful for him.”
20. Cameron Nairn, Hawthorn
What Nairn said: “I spoke to the Hawks a few times and had a few good meetings… but I had no real idea where I was going, so I can’t believe it.”
Nairn grew up in the country, joking there was plenty of space to kick amongst the sheep and cattle.
21. Lachy Carmichael, Western Bulldogs
22. Mitch Marsh, Adelaide
What Marsh said: “Growing up going for the Crows my all life, obviously my old man played for them as well, so being able to get drafted here, it’s unreal.”
Marsh said he models his game off his favourite player, Jeremy Cameron, and said his dad, Ben, had passed along a lot of wisdom.
23. Aidan Schubert, Hawthorn
What Schubert said: “It’s the best feeling ever and the best day of my life. It’s been a very long night and going to the Hawthorn Football Club, it’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait.”
Schubert said he was looking forward to moving to Melbourne and joked that his mum would get some more frequent flyer points adding “I’m no chef.”
24. Harley Barker, Geelong
What Barker said: “It’s pretty emotional – it’s been pretty hard with the [ACL] injury, but [I’m] forever grateful for this little moment that I can cherish with everyone.”
25. Adam Sweid, Fremantle
Sweid was part of the Bachar Houli Academy and the Essendon next-generation academy. The Bachar Houli Academy said: “Your dedication and leadership has inspired the Islamic community. We are so proud of you, Adam.”
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