Top AFL draft pick Sam Lalor was told he’d be taken by Richmond with pick No.1 on Monday before the draft, leaving him with two days that were as exhilarating as they were tantalising.
His childhood dream was realised, but it was not yet official, so the 18-year-old and his close family and friends had to keep the secret until AFL CEO Andrew Dillon read his name out on Wednesday night.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: The moment Sam Lalor found out he would be taken with the No.1 pick.
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The powerful midfielder/forward won Tigers recruiters over with his game-breaking ability across dominant performances for the GWV Rebels in the Coates Talent League and Victoria Country in the national championships.
But Lalor was on Richmond’s radar well before he even pulled on a jumper this year.
During the visit to the Lalor household on Monday, Richmond list boss Blair Hartley revealed to their prized new player that their late recruiting manager Chris Toce had Lalor at the top of his wish list all the way back in March.
Toce sadly lost his short battle with cancer last month, but his fingerprints are all over Lalor’s selection.
“We just wanted to come out (to your house), given it’s pick No.1, and see you guys again and just make sure that everyone’s comfortable, have a good chat to you again and just see how things are playing out,” Hartley said to Lalor in a moment that was filmed by the Tigers’ social media team.
“I know we spoke about Chris (Toce) who worked for us, who’s unfortunately passed away, and part of him applying for the job was to do an assessment on this year’s draft.
“It’s funny because at the time, he came out with you as being the No.1 pick in the draft this year, and that was done in March at the start of this year.
“We’ve managed to go away as a recruiting team and we’ve unanimously come up with you as being our No.1 pick, mate.”
Hartley, coach Adem Yze and Victorian recruiting manager Rhy Gieschen were among a group of five Richmond staff who sat down with Sam and his parents at their Bacchus Marsh home to deliver the news.
“You’re going to be a Richmond player, mate — how good’s that?” one said.
Lalor’s father immediately broke down in tears.
“Of course everyone’s asking you and (they say), ‘What do you think?’ and I’m like ‘I wouldn’t have a clue’,” he said.
“Yeah alright, well thank you very much.”
Sitting back down after the hugs and tears, Hartley said telling him was important to them.
“We toyed with leaving it as a secret and making you guys wait, but I thought it was cool to get your reaction here with us, and probably give you the comfort to just enjoy the night as well,” he said.
Yze added: “Congrats, mate. Enjoy the next couple of days. Soak it all in, mate.”
Since being selected on Wednesday, Lalor has put his hand up for Dustin Martin’s famous No.4 jumper and taken early comparisons to the retired Richmond legend in his stride.
The 18-year-old Victorian, an explosive goal-kicking midfielder, was the first of six first-round selections by the Tigers at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.
The mammoth draft haul comes as Richmond attempt to bounce back after finishing last in Yze’s first season as coach.
Lalor has modelled his game on triple-premiership great Martin and Collingwood gun Jordan De Goey, attracting attention at junior level with his powerful frame and knack of fending off opponents.
“It’s pretty hard to play like him, but I suppose some of the things I do on the field are kind of like him,” Lalor said of comparisons to Martin.
“He’s someone I’ve watched growing up, so I’d love to play like him.
“For me, I don’t look into it too much. I just can’t wait to get in there, chip away and work hard.”
Martin wore the No.4 jumper in all but the first of his 15 seasons at the top level, before retiring in August as one of the greatest players in AFL history.
Richmond officials are yet to confirm whether they will honour Martin’s legendary career by shelving the iconic jumper for a period or hand it to one of their new draftees straight away.
“I’d definitely like it,” Lalor said.
“I wear No.4 throughout the year and it’s my favourite number, so if I did get it, I’d snatch it up.”
Lalor was joined by Josh Smillie (pick seven), Taj Hotton (12), Jonty Faull (14), Luke Trainor (21) and Harry Armstrong (23) in Richmond’s first-round haul.
The Tigers traded pick 27 to North Melbourne, who pounced on key forward Matt Whitlock, but also have the first pick in Thursday’s second round — No.28 overall.
Lalor, who missed chunks of the 2024 season through injury and revealed he will be put straight into a rehabilitation program for a few weeks, is happy to share the spotlight with his fellow Tiger cubs.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of that (group) and hoping to lead it as well,” Lalor said.
“Richmond having so many picks in the top few will help. Not all the spotlight’s on me … I’m sure they’ll help me along the way and I’ll help them as well.”
Lalor was Richmond’s first No.1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004.
North Melbourne selected Finn O’Sullivan at pick two and Carlton took Jagga Smith at three, with Victorian ball magnets proving popular early.
“I go for the Pies but I’m off ‘em now,” Smith quipped after his selection.
Adelaide picked South Australian product Sid Draper at pick four and reigning premiers Brisbane matched Melbourne’s bid on father-son selection Levi Ashcroft at five.
Gold Coast, Essendon and the Lions all matched bids for academy products, snapping up Leo Lombard (pick nine), Isaac Kako (pick 13) and Sam Marshall (25) respectively.
Gippsland Power key defender Alix Tauru was the draft bolter, taken at pick 10 by St Kilda, while Port Adelaide did a deal with West Coast to move up the draft order to claim Murray Bushrangers forward Joe Berry.
Only six players were drafted from outside Victoria in the first round, including Claremont midfielder-forward Cody Angove, who was a surprise selection by GWS at pick 24.
Sydney also pulled a surprise by taking Norwood forward Ned Bowman at pick 26.
—With AAP