Tara Murray, with AAP
Bacchus Marsh’s Sam Lalor is living the dream after being drafted by Richmond at pick one.
The highly touted midfielder was widely predicted to be taken by the Tigers and that was the case.
Lalor said on the draft coverage that the Tigers had told him on Monday night he was headed to Tigerland.
He said he told some close family and friends, but kept many others in the dark.
Lalor said he’s looking forward to getting into it.
“There’s obviously a lot of pressure, but I think with Richmond this year they’ve got a lot of picks, so not all the spotlight’s going to be on me, which is what I’m looking forward to,” Lalor told Fox Footy.
“And I think just getting into a really good club like Richmond is gonna be so good and I can’t wait.”
Meanwhile, Essendon secured small forward Isaac Kako with pick 13.
Richmond bid on the Next Generation Academy product and the Bombers were quick to match it.
Essendon key forward and Kako’s good mate Nate Caddy was among his mates with him on draft night.
“Played heaps of footy with Nate,” Kako told Fox Footy. “It was special supporting him last year, he supports me this year.”
Northern Knights Jesse Dattoli is headed to Sydney after being taken at pick 22.
Fox broadcaster Mick Ablett said pound for pound he was one of the best in the draft.
He said he could have been drafted a bit higher and has a genuine wow factor.
