Richmond’s selection in this week’s pre-season draft, lively forward Brett O’Hanlon, has his sights firmly set on having an impact at Tigerland in his 2012 debut season, either at AFL or VFL level.

“I want to be competitive and I’m determined to do well.  I’ll try and break into the (Richmond) team and, if not, I just want to have an impact around the Club,” O’Hanlon said.

“I’d like to play (for Richmond), but if it doesn’t happen, you can always play well at Coburg and just have an impact around the guys, even at weight sessions, or training.”

O’Hanlon was delighted when Richmond Recruiting Manager, Francis Jackson, read his name out at pick nine overall in Tuesday’s pre-season draft, after he was overlooked in the November National Draft.

“I’m rapt for the opportunity.  I got the call from Francis about half an hour before the pre-season draft and he said he was 99% sure he was going to take me with the No. 9 pick,” he said.

“I had high hopes for the National Draft and it was disappointing (to miss out), but you’ve got to move along quickly and there are always more opportunities out there.  I thought I was a big chance for the rookie draft, but I was rapt to go in the pre-season . . .”

And, the 18-year-old has settled in quickly to his AFL home at Punt Road.

“It was a bit daunting at first, walking in and seeing the likes of Brett Deledio and Jack Riewoldt . . . But they’re all a good bunch of fellas and easy to get along with.  It’s great to be part of Tigerland,” he said.blog comments powered by Disqus