He had to wait until the final day of action, but Xavier Ivisic's dream became a reality when he was selected by Geelong in the 2024 rookie draft.
It was a pick close to home for the Cats, with Ivisic spending the past two seasons playing and developing his game with the Geelong Falcons.
A prolific ball winning midfielder, the 18 year old showed plenty of his potential in the Coates Talent League, while also averaging 22 disposals per game for Vic Country at the National Championships.
After being overlooked in the main draft, Ivisic said he was grateful to land at Geelong and is ready to commence his first season at the top level.
"I went to bed pretty shattered that night [after the draft], but I knew that there was still the rookie draft on the Friday which was my best crack," Ivisic said.
"Seeing my name flash up at pick 12, I can't explain how that felt. It was unreal, I actually couldn't believe it.
"I will be forever grateful that I get to stay at home, just five minutes down the road and my parents are probably more happy than me.
"I am forever grateful to the Cats."
Geelong has a strong history in the rookie draft with players such as Tom Atkins, Zach Guthrie and Brad Close all starting their Cats careers on the rookie list.
Ivisic will be looking to add to this list in 2025 and beyond, after being selected with pick 12 in this year's rookie draft.
Touted as a classy user of the football with a clean set of hands, the midfielder also boasts a great running capacity and football IQ to go with his skill set.
Ivisic provided insight into his focus over the pre-season and into 2025, as he looks to make the most of the opportunity in front of him.
"I kinda like it like that [being a rookie], sort of the backs against the wall mentality and I will fight to hopefully receive an extension beyond next year, I am so grateful that I even get a year," Ivisic said.
"I have been pretty flat out. I have been trying to get in the gym a bit more, to hopefully match it with the AFL bodies.
"I have been trying to keep up with my running as well, because that is probably one of the biggest strengths in my game.
"I am going to give everything a red hot crack. I am going to go 110% at every contest, try to win every ball that is there and hopefully get to pull on the Hoops a couple times.
