New Saint Arie Schoenmaker has admitted that he had given up hope of being drafted before St Kilda swooped on the biggest slider of this year’s National Draft.
Schoenmaker and his management believed he was a “50/50” chance to go on the first night of the draft, so to still be on the board at selection no.62 was no doubt a surprise.
Such a surprise, that Schoenmaker had left his friends and family and walked outside in believing that he’d missed his chance.
An off-field indiscretion earlier in the year, when Schoenmaker had copped a 10-week ban for drinking on a pre-season camp, looked destined to see the talented left-footer miss out until the Saints jumped.
“It was a pretty stressful two days for me, to be honest,” he told SEN Tassie Breakfast.
“I had watched (fellow Tasmanians) Colby (McKercher) and (James) Leake and Riley (Sanders) go in the first night and knowing there was about a 50 per cent chance I might go and 50 per cent chance I might not… the second day was just even more stressful.
“I thought I would maybe be a chance early on the second night, me and my manager, but obviously had it wait it out for the very end.
“I wasn’t actually even watching at the end, I’d given up… I was outside, so I didn’t even know who I went to until they came out and surrounded me.”
Schoenmaker’s primary asset is his lethal left boot, which recruiters had already salivated over prior to the 18-year-old joining the AFL.
A rebounding defender, Schoenmaker described being drafted by St Kilda as “the most unreal thing and “everything (he) could have asked for”.
He’s now living with captain Jack Steele and fellow draftee Angus Hastie until Christmas. But one thing that struck him straight away was the influence coach Ross Lyon wields at Moorabbin.
“He’s pretty intimidating. He’s really good for the whole playing group and me as well, I like Ross as lot,” Schoenmaker added.
“He’s hard, he speaks well to the group and then also throws in a funny joke to the group every now and then which settles you down a bit.
“He’s the best in the business and I’m happy to have him as my coach.”
While other clubs had overlooked Schoenmaker, the Saints had always indicated interest before making him their last selection of the night.
“The Saints always showed interest throughout the season, so when their picks were coming up all the boys and myself were just hoping. They showed interest throughout the year and showed interest a couple of times,” he explained.
“I can’t say I was too surprised the Saints picked me up but I was really hoping it was St Kilda because I feel like that’s the best fit.”
List manager Stephen Silvagni, the man responsible for offering Schoenmaker a chance, said the youngster needed to prove himself to teammates.
“He’s had some adversity in terms of early on in the year. He had to go back and find some form and prove himself again,” Silvagni said after the draft.
“That’s a good sign. He’s a young boy – he’s 18 years of age. We’re giving him a chance and hopefully he takes that chance because he’s got some talent.”