• Draft wrap: Blues keep faith in wayward Curnow
• Draft expert Cal Twomey gives his verdict on every club
• Who is Tom Doedee? Crows pull draft's biggest shock
• Why Jacob Weitering went No.1
• 2015 NAB AFL Draft tracker: Profiles, pics and video highlights of every draftee
THEIR dream of being drafted now a reality, the nervousness etched on the faces of the AFL's newest players ahead of Tuesday night's NAB AFL Draft had dissipated completely by Wednesday morning.
Or maybe the gale-force wind whipping the players on the bank of Adelaide's River Torrens had blown their nerves away.
Regardless, standing in their new club polo shirts, they laughed and smiled before posing for an historic group photo.
Tension had eased into relaxation.
Wayne Milera instantly became a hometown hero on Tuesday when he was drafted by Adelaide with its first pick, No.11.
The exceptionally talented forward has already shown what he's capable of in the SANFL but said he slept poorly on Monday night.
He was restless and woke up on the morning of the draft with a headache; he had no such issue sleeping on his first night as a Crow.
Of all his new teammates, Milera said he was most looking forward to playing alongside Eddie Betts: "He's a freak".
"I met 'Pykey' (coach Don Pyke) last night and also 'Tex' and Rory Sloane and I also got messages from Eddie Betts," Milera said.
"He said it's good to have another brother on the list."
New Richmond forward Daniel Rioli will follow in his famous grandfather Maurice's footsteps when he heads to Punt Road. And far from being overwhelmed by the pressure that accompanies the famous family name, Rioli is relishing his chance to carry to the legacy.
"It's very special coming to Richmond and having my grandfather play there," he said.
"People try to compare me to my uncle - I'm a similar type of player - but I say to myself 'I'm Daniel, I will play my own role and my own style'.
"To see (Hawks star) Cyril get up there and Maurice, (and former Bombers) Dean (Rioli and) Michael Long - it's pretty special.
"Now me. I'm pretty happy with that.
"It's hard work, but I'm looking forward to the journey."
Daniel Rioli speaks to the media with Wayne Milera in the background. Picture: AFL Media
For Carlton's No.1 pick Jacob Weitering, draft night quickly became a whirlwind after Blues coach Brendon Bolton read his name out.
Almost three hours of media calls were followed by a meet and greet with Carlton officials and fellow new Blues Harry McKay (pick No.10) and Charlie Curnow (No.12).
While Weitering was unanimously considered to be the No.1 pick leading into the draft, the well-spoken 18-year-old said he wasn't sure he'd be the first player selected until his name was called out.
"They were pretty confident that if they did keep pick one over the trade period that they would select me but they gave me no certainty, so there was still a little bit of surprise on the night, which was nice," he said.
With the Blues bringing in 12 players during the off-season, Weitering was looking forward to making a good early impression on both his coaches and his new teammates.
"It's been real surreal for me. A bit of relief, obviously, with family and friends enjoying the moment last night, being picked up by the Carlton footy club, and I'm just looking forward to getting started, to be honest," he said.
Clayton Oliver chats with Josh Schache and Jacob Weitering the day after the draft. Picture: AFL Media
Meanwhile, New Crow Milera's fellow local Riley Bonner was Port Adelaide's top pick at No.37.
Many expected the running defender to have been snapped up by the time the Power were able to select their first player; he was prepared to live anywhere for a shot at the big time but was "stoked" to be able to stay home.
Like Milera and most of the other draftees, Bonner will begin his first AFL pre-season on Friday.
Having played in West Adelaide's premiership-winning system this season, Bonner saw first-hand the payoff that hard work can deliver.
The Bloods finished second-last in 2014 but on the back of a monster pre-season and renewed buy-in from the playing group, rocketed up the ladder to claim the flag.
Bonner played one League game but also received advice from several West Adelaide players with AFL experience in Jason Porplyzia, Chris Schmidt and Adam Hartlett.
"They've really helped, just training with them and learning what they have learned being at an AFL club ... they just said to train really hard and that the rest would take care of itself," Bonner said.
"Don't leave anything behind."
The 18-year-old's words could easily have been spoken by his new coach Ken Hinkley.
Bonner said most of Port's players had already made contact with him and that he had previously met Chad Wingard while holidaying on the Murray River.
The two will get to know each other even better over the next few years.
Port Adelaide's Riley Bonner with Essendon's Aaron Francis and Jacob Weitering. Picture: AFL Media
