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.
