Prior to Thursday night’s first round of the 2018 national draft, new Tiger Riley Collier-Dawkins did not rate his chances of landing at Tigerland very highly.
In fact, he wrote it down as one per cent, as he prepared for a big move interstate.
“I didn’t really think it was going to happen but I’m just stoked,” Collier-Dawkins told ‘Roar Vision’ after his selection by Richmond at pick no. 20.
“I had a bit of an inkling that I was going to go a bit earlier, but to slide into Richmond is just ideal, it’s perfect.
“[Richmond’s list] is pretty star-studded, I’m pretty keen to learn off them and earn my stripes.”
The added bonus is the chance to stay at home in Melbourne with mums Jacinta Collier and Chris Dawkins, which also means he won’t need to refine his cooking abilities for the time being.
“I’d been practising my cooking skills over the past couple of weeks and it wasn’t too much chop,” the 193cm inside midfielder joked.
Collier-Dawkins said he was rapt to see his mums, who were bursting with pride, donning the yellow and black on Thursday night.
“They’ve influenced me as a person and built in my character and my morals. They’ve been pivotal in my development as a person,” Collier-Dawkins said.