Teenagers typically struggle to keep secrets at the best of times, so the No. 1 pick in this year’s AFL Draft was forced to sweat through a difficult 48 hours this week.
It was worth the wait for Sam Lalor, however, who was told in an intimate chat with Tigers hierarchy at his Bacchus Marsh home on Monday he would be the top pick for the AFL side.
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Richmond’s media team filmed the moment and posted the heartwarming video to social media, with Lalor and his family instantly getting emotional upon hearing the news.
The 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to just retired Richmond great Dustin Martin and is quietly hoping he may inherit Dusty’s famous No. 4 jumper in the yellow and black.
The Tigers are yet to decide what they plan to do in the short-term with the three-time Norm Smith Medallist’s number.
But it turns out they had their eyes on Lalor as far 바카라사이트 back as March this year, when the club’s late recruiting manager Chris Toce singled out the powerful midfielder.
Toce sadly died after a battle with cancer last month and he was front of mind when Richmond list boss Blair Hartley gave the news to Lalor and his family, as you can see in the video player above.
“We just wanted to come out (to your house), given it’s pick one, and see you guys again and just make sure that everyone’s comfortable,” Hartley said.
“Have a good chat to you again and see how things are playing out.
“I know we spoke about Chris (Toce), who worked for us at the time, who’s unfortunately passed away.
“Part of him applying for the job was to do an assessment on this year’s draft.
“It’s funny because at the time, he came out with you as being the No. 1 pick in the draft this year and that was done in March at the start of this year.
“We’ve managed to go away as a recruiting team and we’ve unanimously come up with you as being our No. 1 pick, mate.”
The emotion immediately got to the youngster, who put a hand to his face and then quickly put his head in both hands as the news hit home.
“You’re going to be a Richmond player, mate,” a voice is heard saying in the background.
“How good is that?”
When Lalor looked up, he could only say “thank you very much” before he was congratulated by everyone in the room, with Tigers coach Adem Yze saying “well deserved” as he gave his new recruit a hug.
Fans were relishing the inside look from the Tigers’ video on social media.
“Love this! Dad is so proud, brings a tear to the eye,” was one comment on X.
“Such a great reaction!! Welcome to Tiger Land!!” added a Richmond fan.
“Great content. Love that raw emotion and awesome to see a great young man be humbled and emotional to be picked by RFC as number 1,” wrote a third.
Lalor’s emotional father Steve, who played footy in the 1980s, admitted “everyone’s asking you” what was going to happen in the draft, admitting candidly he “wouldn’t have a clue”.
After adding his thanks to the five-strong Richmond team, Steve Lalor patted Sam on the back and added “well done champ”.
Drafts for young talent in professional sport are often nerve-racking affairs, with so much uncertainty over whether players will be picked and where they could end up.
Hartley said the Tigers considered keeping it a secret until draft night on Wednesday, but decided it was better to get him out of his misery early in the week.
He then emphasised just how high the club’s expectations are for the teenager, who is coming off a dominant season for the GWV Rebels and Vic Country.
“We toyed with leaving it as a secret and making you guys wait,” Hartley said.
“But I thought it was cool to get your reaction here with us and probably give you the comfort to just enjoy the night as well.