PORT ADELAIDE added livewire forward Dylan Williams to their growing crop of young talent after selecting the exciting 18-year-old with pick 23 of the NAB AFL Draft.
Williams, who was in attendance for night two of the draft, was grateful for the chance to celebrate with family and friends.
“I’m pretty excited to be honest – also really good to be celebrating with my family and friends – just joy,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“It’s still sinking in as we speak.”
Even a chat with senior coach Ken Hinkley wasn’t enough to make the reality of officially becoming an AFL player sink in.
“He just welcomed me – it was our first chat – getting to know me. It was pretty surreal to speak to him to be honest,” Williams said.
The Oakleigh Chargers product wasn’t sure exactly where he would land during the draft after finding himself up and down the draft projections throughout the year.
Williams enjoyed an electric bottom age campaign, booting four goals in the 2018 NAB League Grand Final and being named in the best players alongside Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson – the No. 1 and 2 picks in the 2019 draft.
However, an injury interrupted 2019 season left him wondering when he would have him name called on draft night.
“At the start of the year it was kind of one spot and then middle of the year it was another spot. I guess you kind of get a gauge through your manager. I had no idea really,” he said.
“I had a little inkling, but nothing set in concrete that I was coming (to the Power).
“I am very excited to join Port.”
The Power have added four new faces to their young list in the 2019 draft – Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades, Williams and father-son selection Jackson Mead – and the silky left-footer was excited to be a part of that group.
“I know they’ve got a really good young crop up there,” he said.
"I know a few of the boys and they’ve obviously got some really good leaders up there that are a bit older. They’ve got a really good list."
Known for his X-factor in front of goal, Williams is hoping to add some spark alongside one of his role models in Robbie Gray.
“I like to think I’m an exciting player. I love kicking a goal and I love celebrating,” he said.
“I really like Robbie Gray at Port. I’ve been watching him a lot throughout this year and a little bit last year. I just enjoy watching him play and taking a few things out of his game.”
Williams will join his new teammates for the first time over the weekend and run out for his first pre-season session as a Port Adelaide player on Monday morning.
