Hawthorn draftee Ollie Greeves had a sense of "relief" when he heard his name called out during the 2025 Rookie Draft, but he believed it was going to come a lot earlier.
Greeves was arguably the biggest slider of the 2025 AFL Draft, with many pundits tipping the Eastern Ranges midfielder as a first-round selection.
The Hawks attempted to add the on-ball prospect to their NGA earlier in the year, which would make it difficult for rival clubs to swoop. However, they were rejected by the AFL, leaving him available in the open pool.
But as luck would have it for the brown and gold, Greeves was still available on the Friday, and with Pick 12, was snapped up.
"Full relief," Greeves said in his first interview as a Hawk.
"I was so excited to get here. I trained here a bit last year, and I couldn't be happier to have my name called out by Hawthorn."
Greeves, awarded the Vic Metro MVP during the National Championships and runner-up for the Larke Medal, drew interest from several clubs, but none selected him in the national draft.
He was unfortunately struck down by influenza ahead of the National Combine, and was unable to participate. He also lost five to six kilograms.
He ran a 6:47 make-up 2km time trial ahead of the draft, but was still left on the table after two evenings.
"It was a long few days," Greeves reflected.
"I thought I might have gone a bit earlier than when I did, but it was a rollercoaster. My family were on it with me and my friends, and you ride the highs and lows, but the high is way higher than any low you could have received on those days.
"And getting my name called out meant so much to me, and so much relief to finally get a chance and opportunity to prove myself."
Greeves has already assimilated into life at Hawthorn in the new Dingley digs, taking in everything he can from his new teammates.
Massimo D'Ambrosio has been an instant influence on the youngster, who has taken him under his wing, while Will Day looms as the perfect teacher, especially given that he "idolised him as a kid".
