TOBY Wooller expected to be physically tested at last month's NAB AFL Draft Combine, but he rated his club interview with Adelaide as the most challenging assessment.
The forward prospect walked into a 'perfect storm', as the Crows had just days earlier lost the Grand Final to Richmond, while in the preceding hours gun defender Jake Lever had requested a trade to Melbourne.
The Adelaide delegation thoroughly probed the Victorian on whether he was another 'flight risk'.
"It was a bit daunting because (Adelaide coach) Don Pyke was in there, so I didn't really know what to expect but it went well," Wooller told AFL.com.au.
"They talked about loyalty and asked me my thoughts on that, but I told them I'm happy to go anywhere to play AFL football and my family would fully support me.
"I just answered every question honestly."
While he would take an opportunity from Adelaide with both hands, the blue and white blood coursing through his veins has Wooller dreaming of emulating his grandfather by playing for Geelong.
Fred Wooller was the captain of the 1963 Cats premiership side, and he was one of the victors' better players on the day with three goals.
A tall forward like the Geelong great, the Oakleigh Chargers product says his grandfather has been a constant source of sage advice and inspiration.
"He's been one of my idols growing up and I've always looked to him for support," he said.
"He's always at my games cheering me on, so it's been a massive help to my career.
"He's always putting on the 1963 Grand Final at family dinners, he loves to show everyone that.
"We're both key forwards, he was a premiership captain of Geelong, and I was the captain of the Chargers this season.
"I've been born into it, so I'd love to play for the Cats."
Two games for Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships were a "lull" for the 18-year-old, but otherwise he was happy with his output in a TAC Cup season that saw him kick 43 goals.
That form was enough to get him invited to the Combine, but his testing there has seen his draft stocks rise even further.
Wooller's time of 6:32 to for the 2km time trial was outstanding for a player of 193cm and 90kg.
AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said Wooller's results in the endurance testing would have definitely have caught the recruiters' attention.
"Toby has been one of the real improvers of the year, because he's really given himself a chance of becoming a tall midfielder at the next level, as well as being a marking forward," Sheehan said.
"He's got a massive work rate, which allows him to get to so many contests, and he reads the ball very well in the air.
"His presenting and clean set of hands really complement his elite endurance, so he's got all the attributes to be a League footballer."
With Wooller highly likely to be selected in November's NAB AFL Draft, he sees himself as a far-roaming half-forward at AFL level, with a key Crow an idol and a possible future teammate.
"I see myself playing the second or third tall forward role at AFL level, because I'm only 193cm," Wooller said.
"I model my game on Tom Lynch from Adelaide, and I've really studied how he plays this year."
