SAM GRIMLEY says North Melbourne premiership coach Denis Pagan played a big part in his decision to pursue an AFL football career.

It was only in July that Grimley decided to take football seriously. He played just four TAC Cup games for the Northern Knights under Pagan but it was enough to convince him to turn his back on what had been his preferred sport: basketball.

Shining in a performance against talented Gold Coast youngster Charlie Dixon in his one and only final, Grimley had obviously impressed Hawthorn scouts, who decided to secure him with their first pick (No.39 overall) at Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft.

Grimley said Pagan was the reason he had played on Dixon.

"That obviously has pumped me up a bit," he said. "Being able to play on a good key centre half-forward has pushed the way I play footy a lot higher than it was just playing in the ruck.

"People criticise him for being too hard but I reckon he (Pagan) is unreal."

While football is still a new concept to the young ruckman, Grimley's family are no strangers to the big league.

Father Brett and grandfather Ken both had brief careers with Fitzroy but Grimley knows his pedigree does not mean he will be a walk-up start to the AFL.

"I've got a lot to learn," he said. "Even today at training, I thought, 'Geez, what's going on?' Even with some of the simplest drills.

"I couldn't see myself playing in the next year or even two. I've got to put on some weight obviously and hopefully compete for a spot in future years."

Grimley's new teammate Taylor Duryea spent much of the draft sweating until the Hawks finally called his name with pick 69.

"Until the last pick you can't lose hope," he said. "Definitely I was starting to get more nervous and questioned whether I would get on the list as a senior player.

"I was starting to think towards rookie. I was definitely getting nervous."

Duryea will take no time to adjust to life out of home, having already lived as a boarder at Caulfield Grammar School for the past three years.

Until the club finds a permanent home for him, his housemate will be Norm Smith Medallist Luke Hodge.

"I'm staying with Hodgey tonight (Friday) so that would be good to relax and be in a different setting with him," he said.

"It is good to know you've got a senior player like him to help you out in your first week."

Duryea was joined at the Hawks by Murray Bushrangers teammate Jordan Williams (pick 57), who said he couldn't believe his luck at being selected by one of the competition's strongest clubs.

"I think the Hawks are one of the most powerful clubs in the AFL," he said.

"It's good to come to a young club like this. They are obviously going to be striving to play finals footy again this year and they are going to be a contender for the premiership."

Ben Stratton, drafted by the club at No.46, is in the process of relocating from Western Australia.

Watch Sam Grimley’s press conference on HawksTV