HAWTHORN recruits Billy Hartung, Dayle Garlett and James Sicily can’t hide their excitement at joining the Club via last Thursday night’s National Draft.

Hartung was expected by draft experts to be taken by St Kilda with picks 18 or 19 but slipped through to the Hawks at its first pick, selection 24 overall.

From the Dandenong Stingrays, the 177cm midfielder possesses elite endurance and good speed and is expected to become a hard-running outside midfielder in the years to come.

In fact, he broke the AFL Draft Combine beep test record, ironically held by now-teammate Bradley Hill with a score of 16.6.

That is a distant memory now though and all part of the package that is one of three new faces at Hawthorn training with the memories of draft night still fresh.

“I was over the moon, I can’t really describe how I felt,” he said of the moment he was drafted by Hawthorn.

“We were just waiting around wondering what was to come and when Hawthorn read my name out, my mates jumped all over me, it was a really good feeling.

“It was a great moment and one I wanted to share with everyone that matters to me and who has been there with me for this journey.”

When he was overlooked by the Saints, Hartung admits nerves set in.

“There was a little bit of talk that I might be going to St Kilda and when that didn’t happen, I had no clue where I was going to go,” he said.

“I guess you could say my nerves kicked in a bit more at that point but my goal was just to get drafted.”

Garlett endured much speculation in the lead-up to the draft, with some experts believing the 19 year old wouldn’t get his chance because of his history.

At pick 38 though, the Hawks were more than happy to take the talented West Australian and he couldn’t be happier.

“It feels terrific and to get drafted by the team I barracked for is amazing,” he said.

“It means so much more to me after I had to wait another year.

“When my name got called out, it was a relief and the best thing that has ever happened to me in my entire life.”

Sicily knew the Hawks had an interest in him following a number of pre-draft interviews both during the year and following the draft combine but he didn’t get his hopes up.

He kept his draft night low-key, sharing it with his family and one or two friends and faced a nervous wait as picks continued to roll with his name yet to be called.

Finally, at selection 56 he knew his fate and would join Hawthorn.

“I spoke to them during the year and then again at the draft camp. I also spoke to the club a week before the draft so I guess they were pretty interested but you never know what will happen,” he said.

“It’s pretty daunting coming to the premiership side but I’m sure they’re all just a bunch of normal blokes.

“I’m just looking forward to getting stuck into training, meeting them all and earning their respect and then go from there.”