James Strauss endured a sleepless night before the 2008 NAB Draft, but awoke Saturday morning to the relieving news that he would remain in Melbourne and become a Demon, taken as the Club's third pick after Jack Watts and Sam Blease.

Rated by some recruiters as the best kick in this year's Draft class, Strauss is an athletic midfielder who reads the play exceptionally well, and is a good decision maker with the ball.

Having little idea about which club he could end up at, and having long pondered the possibilities of what could and would happen at the Draft, Strauss was glad once the agonising tension was over and he knew his destiny was at the Demons.

“I was feeling a fair bit of relief really.  It was just good to get it over and done with, because I no longer had to think all the possible situations in my head anymore - that I could end up here or there - so there was a bit of relief in that.  It was just a really good feeling that I’m staying in Melbourne and playing for the Melbourne Football Club.

“My mum was also pretty relieved that I was I staying in Melbourne, because the prospect of me moving interstate was pretty daunting.”

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the 18 year-old, as an internet glitch nearly left him in the dark about his new club.

“Myself, my parents and my sister were all sitting in the loungeroom watching the Draft on the internet, but it actually cut out at pick 17, so we had to scramble for a radio and just as we flicked it on, we heard my name get called out with pick 19, which I was absolutely stoked about.”

Strauss will arrive at the Club on Tuesday morning comforted by the fact that he will have two familiar faces around him, having played with Jack Watts and Sam Blease as a part of Vic Metro’s title winning team.

He played all five matches during the Carnival, with his running game a feature. He ranked highly for handballs received and inside 50s, and was among Vic Metro’s best in their big win over Tasmania, gathering 15 possessions.

In the TAC Cup, Strauss played ten matches with the Oakleigh Chargers, averaging 23 possessions and ten handball receives per game.  He also excelled at the Draft Camp held at the AIS, and was the third ranked player overall in the agility test, as well as being in the top seven percent for the repeat sprint test.

A graduate of Scotch College, Strauss sees himself at his best playing across half back, but a move to the midfield as his football develops would be seen as a natural progression.

Having missed out on the VIC Metro squad as a 17 year-old last year, Struass’ persistent and hard work has paid off as he looks forward to starting his AFL journey in the red and blue.

“I’m not looking too far ahead, but I’m really excited about getting down to the Club and doing my full pre-season, just getting to know all the boys and truly taking ‘it one step at a time’.”