For Ben Ronke, the realisation he’s an AFL player is still sinking in.
It’s been a whirlwind few months for the 18-year-old who wasn’t part of the TAC Cup system until this year.
This time last year he had been part of St Bernard’s senior premiership and was looking to spend the pre-season with Footscray’s VFL squad.
A conversation with Calder Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte changed all that.
Although not selected in the AFL national draft last Friday night, Ronke didn’t have to wait long to see his name appear on screen during Monday’s rookie draft. Sydney had taken him with its first selection, pick 17.
“It’s been all a bit surreal; my head’s still spinning,” he said on Tuesday. “It’s been a good 12 months. I’m privileged to get an opportunity and I’m not taking it for granted.”
Ronke said he had spoken briefly with the Swans a couple of months ago but wasn’t expecting them to draft him.
“Speaking with recruiters, they liked some of my attributes and the way I went about it. They liked my work ethic
“I tried to keep expectations down. It’s always hard to watch names called out,” he said. “I prayed for the best, that my name would be called.”
Less than 24 hours after being drafted, Ronke was on the road to Sydney. He had a familiar face to keep him company on the drive: Robbie Fox.
Fox, picked by the Swans in the rookie draft at No.34, has spent the past two seasons with VFL side Coburg, the club with which Ronke played two games this season.
“It’s all happening very quickly. We left in the car this morning,” he told
Star Weekly. “It’s very handy to have someone you know going to the same place.”
Ronke wasn’t expecting much rest once he got to Sydney, with the new players expected at training straight away.
“I’ve very excited,”he said. “There’s lots of players I admire and it’s surreal to be on the track with them.”
Ronke wasn’t the only Cannon taken in the rookie draft, with Zach Guthrie chosen at pick 33 by Geelong.
Guthrie joins his older brother Cameron on the Cats’ list. “It’s unthinkable,” Guthrie said following his selection. “To be going to a Victorian club, to the same club as my brother … I’m rapt. Cam is at home and we heard the news at the same time. He’s rapt, as are our parents.”
