NEW recruit Kieran Lovell was quietly confident he would make his way to an AFL club in this year’s draft, but it was a nervous wait on Tuesday night.
The 18-year-old Tasmanian midfielder enjoyed a sensational season.
Not only was he a prolific ball-winner at TAC Cup level, he also shone in division two at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
He was surprised when the Hawks called his name with pick 22 – which was earlier than he expected to be drafted.
But he can’t wait to join his new teammates at Waverley Park.
“I can’t believe it,” Lovell said on Tuesday night.
“The whole day I was stressing out and sweating on it… I wasn’t expecting to go so early.
“I had a couple of close friends and family around, anxiously waiting. I was lucky to have my name called out earlier than I expected. I’m absolutely rapt to end up at Hawthorn.”
Alongside family and friends, Lovell spent draft night at home in Huonville, which is a 30-minute drive south-west of Hobart.
He had met with the Hawks on multiple occasions prior to the draft, including the week before.
But Lovell said the club didn’t give anything away.
When his name was called out, he was inundated with messages of congratulations from his new teammates.
“(Vice-captain) Jordy Lewis gave me a call pretty much straight away, I couldn’t really believe I was chatting to him, it was surreal. A few of the boys have sent me text messages as well,” he said.
After averaging 35 possessions (14 contested) and 5.5 clearances during the underage championships, Lovell looms as a ready-made onballer.
A quick look at his highlights package shows similarities to current Hawks stars Lewis and Sam Mitchell – the 18-year-old knows how to win the ball and what to do with it when he gets it.
Lovell said he didn’t start the season expecting to get drafted, but was ecstatic with how his year panned out.
“I started the year playing TAC Cup footy with the Mariners, playing that pressure half forward role, and I sort of transitioned into an inside midfield role, accumulating the footy,” he said.
“I was really happy with my national championships, and played a similar inside role for Tigers, my TSL club.
“I didn’t really come in with expectations of getting drafted, but it’s what you aspire for.
Getting stuck into life as a Hawk is something Lovell cannot wait to do.
“I’ll pretty much start packing in the morning… it’s pretty hectic but it’s something I’ve prepared for being a Tassie boy, having to move,” he said.
“Everything’s fallen into place and I’m rapt with how it’s ended up. I just want to work hard to improve myself and improve the club.”
“Being a part of such a professional club, I think it will be so good for my football development, learning off blokes like Sam Mitchell who I admire.”
“I’m looking forward to bettering myself.”
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