Hear what Hawthorn’s 2015 draftees – Ryan Burton (pick 19), Kieran Lovell (pick 22) and Blake Hardwick (pick 44) – had to say after becoming Hawks.
SOUTH Australian Ryan Burton was at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday night when Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson announced the club would be drafting him with pick 19.
The 18-year-old forward, who missed all of 2015 after sustaining a badly broken leg in 2014, said he was delighted to become a Hawk.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling, it’s a dream come true,” Burton said.
“I’m really proud of what I’ve been able to do over the last 15 months with the injury, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
Burton grew up a Port Adelaide fan, but can’t wait to get the chance to don the brown and gold.
“I’ve loved watching the Hawks over the last few years, winning premierships, (and they’ve got) a great game style, a very good team, so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
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HAWTHORN’S second selection in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Kieran Lovell, said he was “rapt” to be joining the club.
The Tasmanian midfielder can’t wait to pack his bags and join his new teammates at Waverley Park.
“I can’t believe it,” he said.
“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 expected. I’m absolutely rapt to end up at Hawthorn.”
Lovell said he was looking forward to the challenge of joining the three-time reigning premiers.
“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,” he said.
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GETTING drafted to Hawthorn was a “surreal” feeling, according to sharpshooter Blake Hardwick.
The Eastern Ranges product was the TAC Cup’s leading goalkicker in 2015, and spent draft night at home in Croydon with family and friends.
“It’s pretty surreal, the family’s been going crazy,” Hardwick, who joined the Hawks with pick 44, said.
“I was pretty confident (about getting drafted), but you never really know what’s going to happen… I was getting more and more nervous.”
Hardwick grew up supporting Essendon, but that’s about to change – and his family couldn’t be happier.
“I was an Essendon supporter, but mum’s Hawthorn, so everyone’s very happy – especially her,” he said.
