IF ADAM Cerra didn't already know his life had changed since becoming an AFL footballer, he figured it out last week.
High-profile West Australian media identity Tim Gossage's claims, which were quickly discredited, that the 18-year-old was "on the table" as a potential trade option caused a stir.
This was a kid only eight months separated from being the No.5 pick, whose only crime was being the sole top-10 draftee from last year yet to re-sign despite being contracted until 2019.
Cerra's management suggested to Gossage, after his comments, that the teenager – who is the round 16 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee – was instead set to add two more seasons to his Fremantle stay.
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"As I've stated since the start of the year, I want to … wait until the season ends, then I'll definitely sit down with them and talk about what the future looks like," Cerra told AFL.com.au.
"It was a bit of an eye-opener (last week's events) and the first time I've really read something about myself, in the sense of being in the AFL bubble.
"But you can't really have much control over that. They'll say what they think … so you can't get too built up on it.
"I'm loving WA, I'm loving Freo and I'm loving playing with such a young group of boys."
Eastern Ranges coach Darren Bewick, a dual Essendon premiership forward, told AFL.com.au last year he rated Cerra as highly as any player to graduate from his club in his eight seasons there.
That list includes Christian Petracca, Jon Patton, Tom Boyd and another 2017 top-10 draft pick, Collingwood's Jaidyn Stephenson.
Cerra and Stephenson headlined 10 Ranges footballers who were selected in either the national or rookie drafts last year.
"I was super proud on draft night. I was pretty excited when my name was called out, but after that I was really keen to see which other Ranges boys got picked up," Cerra said.
"To see all of us grow through that time then achieve that dream of getting drafted and hopefully play some AFL was awesome."
Cerra has spent time up forward, through the midfield and more recently at half-back, including a spectacular 30-possession, best-on-ground effort in a Dockers win over Adelaide in round 12.
The young gun followed up with 23 disposals, seven marks, six intercept possessions, five rebound 50s and three clearances in an all-round performance in Darwin on Saturday night.
"I'm pretty pleased with how my first year's gone," he said.
"I'm only 18, so I've still got plenty to learn and I didn't expect to play this many games straight away, but the fact I have is pleasing.
"I've had a bit of inconsistency at times, but … I'm playing with new teammates and being a young team, I think we all experience that a little bit."
Cerra was one of nine Dockers at the weekend who had played 25 or fewer games and there is genuine talent among them – enough for him to be "pretty excited" about the future.
Only the Western Bulldogs fielded a younger and more inexperienced team in round 16.
Among Fremantle's youth is Andrew Brayshaw, last year's No.2 draft pick, who has developed a strong bond with former Vic Metro teammate Cerra.
They are largely inseparable at the club, but also carpool to their shared university commerce lectures and plan to move in together, along with Hugh Dixon, at season's end.
Brayshaw currently lives with Dockers captain and competition superstar Nat Fyfe, who has taken on a mentoring role with both him and Cerra.
"Prior to the draft, me and Andy played state footy together and were a little bit of rivals in school footy and TAC Cup," Cerra said.
"We were both taken quite early (in the draft) and have played games this year, so our relationship has definitely blossomed and we do most things together."
