By ADEM SARICAOGLU
EXCITING Western Jets utility James Sicily lived every young footballer’s dream last week.
On Thursday AFL premier Hawthorn used its pick 56 to snare the 18-year-old former Keilor junior – who turned out to be the only Jet selected in this year’s national draft.
“I’m pretty stoked and pretty excited to get stuck into it,” Sicily told Star the following day.
“They’re the best team currently going around, so I’m looking forward to learning off the senior players and going from there.”
Watching the draft from home, Sicily admits he became a touch nervy when Essendon, who along with Hawthorn contacted him earlier in the week, took extra time to make its selection at pick 55.
Eventually the Bombers went with South Australian midfielder Orazio Fantasia, allowing the Hawks to swoop on Sicily with the next pick.
“When it got into the 50s I was getting pretty nervous,” Sicily said.
“I knew that with the last two picks, 55 and 56, that if I didn’t get picked by then I probably wasn’t going to get picked, because they were the two clubs I spoke to during the week.”
Jets coach Torin Baker, who prior to the draft rated Sicily his side’s best chance of landing on an AFL list, was pleased to see the Vic Metro representative get to Hawthorn.
“I’m very excited for James,” Baker said.
“The fact that he’s gone to a really good club like Hawthorn is fantastic for him and everyone at the Jets is really excited for him.”
Used largely as a roaming utility for much of his top-age year, Sicily became regarded as one of the more versatile players going around in the TAC Cup this season.
Sicily’s strong marking ability became a feature of his game throughout the year but it was his excellent result in the 20-metre sprint at the draft combine that really turned heads.
While acknowledging a strong summer in the gym will be essential, Baker can see Sicily slotting into Hawthorn’s forward line before establishing himself as a midfielder later into his AFL career.
“He’s obviously going to have to put on some size to get him in a position where they see fit,” Baker said.
“I personally think he’ll be a forward at first that’ll probably play in the midfield later on as his body develops.”
Meanwhile Jake Greiser and David Iaccarino, who were both over-looked on Thursday, will be hoping to join their Jets team-mate in the AFL ranks with this week’s rookie draft taking place on Wednesday.
