SMALL FORWARD Joe Berry had his AFL dream realised on Wednesday evening, when Port Adelaide selected him at pick 15 in the Telstra AFL National Draft.
Eighteen-year-old Berry, who hails from Benalla in country Victoria, drove the two hours to Marvel Stadium with mum Jacinta and dad Bart for the big event.
The crafty left-footer had plenty of support alongside him on the couch in Marvel’s Victory Room, with friends and family erupting when his name was called.
“I’m just super excited,” Berry said the next morning.
“Last night was such a big moment, and to wake up and be an AFL player, it’s awesome.
“It was a surreal moment. And around my friends and family as well, to have the people I really love around me was awesome.
“I had eight mates that were on the couch and they all got around me. School mates and mates I’ve grown up with and known for a long time.”
The Power traded up to nab Berry, with the recruiting team aware other clubs were interested in the young talent.
National Recruiting Manager Geoff Parker completed the pick trade with West Coast, to ensure Berry would still be available when the Power made its pick.
“Joe was obviously someone we were very interested in, and probably he was the one that, in the end, we wanted to pick,” Parker said.
“I didn’t think potentially West Coast were going to pick him, but you do worry that someone else might come in and take that pick off West Coast to pick him. So you do the trade to make sure you get your man.”
Despite supporting Carlton throughout his childhood, Berry grew up idolising Robbie Gray, who is now in Port Adelaide’s recruiting team.
It was perhaps poetic that at Berry’s first meeting with the club, Gray was present.
“Yeah, it was pretty cool,” Berry said, reflecting on that moment.
“He actually gave me a couple of tips as well. It was just really nice to meet him. It was actually quite surreal.”
Parker admits it can be dangerous comparing young players to one of the league’s greats, but he does see similarities between Gray and Berry.
“I hate to compare someone to Robbie, because he was such a great player, and all of a sudden the expectations go through the roof,” Parker said.
“But Joe has similar one on one ability, he can protect his space and manoeuvre players into a position where he can get the ball. His finishing skills are like Robbie's as well…if you're going to model yourself on someone, you might as well model yourself on one of the best ever.”
Parker was impressed by Berry’s year in football, believing the youngster could have a long and fruitful AFL career.
“Joe's had a really strong season,” Parker said.
“I thought he was the dominant small/half forward type in this year's draft. His performances leading up to the championships were really strong for Murray. Then he solidified in my mind he's going to be a really good player with the way he performed in the national championships, making the All-Australian team.
“So I really think he's going to have a strong impact at the club for a long time.”
Fresh from a media event with all first-round draftees on Thursday morning, Berry was getting back in the car with his family to return to Benalla for his high school graduation, before packing up his life for the flight to Adelaide on Sunday.
At least Berry, who has only visited Adelaide once before, will enjoy a dose of familiarity at Alberton, with Wangaratta teammate Joe Richards also joining him at the club.
“We’re from the same home club at the Wangaratta Magpies,” Berry said.
“And he’s obviously moved over, and we did a couple of sessions (together) last year. He’s a ripping fella so it will be good to catch up with him.”
Port Adelaide will continue building its list on night two of the Telstra National Draft on Thursday, with the Rookie Draft to follow on Friday afternoon.
