Frankston Standard Leader
November 25, 2015 11:50am
SHOCK turned to sheer joy for Seaford teenager Liam Hulett when he was drafted by Melbourne.
At home with family, the 18-year-old sat stunned in front of the television barely believing he’d been snapped up by the Demons with their last pick (46).
“I’m still lost for words, I’m still shocked,’’ Hulett told Leader this morning.
“I wasn’t really expecting anything but I’m obviously stoked it happened and I can’t wait to get started.’’
Draft night was “low key’’ at the Hulett residence.
Liam was more hopeful than confident of getting picked up after an injury-plagued TAC Cup career with the Dandenong Stingrays.
He’d only played two games this year after rupturing ligaments in his ankle so badly that he spent much of the season recovering.
Yet, Melbourne saw enough in the powerful, key position forward to want him.
At about 8.30pm, Liam’s name was read out, and pandemonium broke out.
As his parents, Paul and Megan, brothers Tim and Owen and uncle and aunty Pat and Erin roared with delight, Liam sat, frozen.
The tough young kid, who was an apprentice carpenter until recently, admitted the moment moved him to tears.
“There was a little one, I tried to keep it in,’’ he laughed.
“I was sort of glued to the TV, I just had to keep looking to make sure it was actually my name. There was a little one (a tear) but I think I got it back in, I just wiped it away and carried on.’’
Hulett played his junior football at Seaford. “I loved every minute of it,’’ he said. “I can’t thank them enough for the work they’ve done to get me where I am today.’’
He said his phone was “going crazy’’ with messages from friends after the draft.
Hulett grew up a stout St Kilda supporter and attended St Anne’s Primary in Seaford and St Bede’s College in Mentone.
He was also a promising cricketer, playing First XI with Carrum as a 14-year-old.
But now it’s all about the red and the blue; Hulett begins his journey with the Demons on Friday.
Last Modified on 25/11/2015 14:50
