New Kangaroo Hamish Free has admitted he didn’t know his name had been read out in Wednesday’s rookie draft, even having to enquire about which club drafted him.
Free took the next step in a remarkable rise when his name was read out by North Melbourne with pick 19 in the rookie draft on Wednesday.
Just half a dozen years ago, the 24-year-old wasn’t playing football, but after plying his trade in country footy, Free earned himself a spot with South Fremantle in the WAFL.
From there, he’s found himself on an AFL list, but Free has a different experience to what is often one of the best days in a draftee’s life.
“I knew (the rookie draft) was on, I just wasn’t really expecting my name to be called,” he told SEN WA’s The Run Home, admitting he wasn’t watching the broadcast.
“I was working somewhat as well but had the cricket on to the side, then got a call from my manager saying, ‘congrats mate, you’re drafted’.
“I had no idea about it, I asked him where and he said, ‘North picked you up’.
“That’s basically how it happened, then from there my phone went nuts, all my mates and family got around me, it was great.”
Even the Roos hadn’t given much away.
“I did have a meeting with them and spoke and I thought they were looking more at a train-on option in January, that’s kind of what I thought was the case,” Free added.
“But happy to have my name called, I’m a North Melbourne player which is exciting.”
The mature-age prospect had never been a part of any state team before being selected by the Roos.
Free, a 202cm and 103kg ruckman, also opened up on his unusual path to the big time.
“I was just rapt to get drafted, as a 24-year-old you’re probably not expecting much interest,” he stated.
“I hadn’t really had a heap of interest... I was just rapt to get picked up, I'm looking forward to (having) Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) as a coach
“I had a few good mates at South Freo that dragged me up there, I hung around and then it all happened pretty quick from there.
“I played a little bit in 2021 and then the full year in 2022, it happened pretty quick and now I’m over at North.
“Year 11 and 12 at school I stopped playing footy, I wasn’t playing at all. Then just grew quite a bit (between) 16-18, one of my mates dragged me down (to local footy), it all happened pretty quick from there.”
Free is one of seven new Roos after the club made four and three selections in the National and Rookie Drafts respectively.
Free averaged just shy of 12 touches a game for South Fremantle and never dropped below 31 hitouts in a game this year.
Image: Justin Rake