It doesn’t get any bigger than receiving a text message from the best player in the AFL welcoming you to their club.
Among the many messages and calls received by Northern Knights’ Brayden Fiorini after being drafted on Tuesday night, was one from Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett jnr.
The Suns selected Fiorini with pick 20 in the AFL national Draft.
“All of the players have been texting me and it has been really good,” Fiorini said on Wednesday.
“Gary sent me a text and I was rapt. It felt weird adding him as a contact in my phone.”
Fiorini knew the Suns were interested in drafting him, but he was shocked when they selected him at pick 20.
When his name was called out, Fiorini was still celebrating the fact one of his close mates Jade Gresham, had been selected by St Kilda at pick 18.
The two were four of Knights’ players to be drafted on the night.
“I didn’t expect to be taken that early, I thought I would be taken in the late 20s or early 30s,” he said.
“There was a few clubs in the 20s including the Bulldogs who were interested.
“When my name was called out, I wasn’t even nervous as I didn’t expect to be picked then.”
While Fiorini was surprised to be taken so early, the Suns told the midfielder they were surprised he was still available at pick 20.
“I’m just glad I got picked up. It is now starting to settle in that I’ve been drafted,” he said.
“I can’t wait to tomorrow when I’ll probably head up to Gold Coast. Training starts on Friday.”
Despite being drafted to a young club which has plenty of opportunities for players to come straight into the side, Fiorini has no expectations going into next season.
“I want to have a good preseason and work hard.
“This is only the start of the journey and everyone says it’s the hard part. Now the hard work begins.”
