New Crow Archie Ludowyke had begun to wonder whether his dream of being selected in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft would ever come true.<\/p>\n
As the second night stretched on, Ludowyke sensed his opportunity drifting.<\/p>\n
So-much-so when the Adelaide Football Club read out his name at Pick No.50 on Thursday night, he wasn\u2019t even in the room with family and friends to see it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in my room when my name got called out because I didn\u2019t think it would happen tonight,\u201d Ludowyke said on the AFL\u2019s Draft Night Live.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was texting my mate Kai Fincher, who just got picked up as well, I was just trying to calm the nerves a bit, but it wasn\u2019t really working.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I just heard everyone start cheering downstairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t know if it was (for) me or my best mate, but I came downstairs and it was pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon realising he had landed at the Crows, Ludowyke, a forward from Sandringham known for his aerial ability and vertical leap, said he couldn\u2019t contain his emotions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was unreal, I can\u2019t even describe it,\u201d Ludowyke said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just the best feeling ever – the best thing that\u2019s ever happened to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crows National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie said his team rated Ludowyke highly and jumped at the chance to secure him late.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just couldn\u2019t not take him, we had to\u2026 we rated him so highly,\u201d Ogilvie said.<\/p>\n
\u201c197cm tall, natural forward craft, lightly framed but wide shoulders – a great frame to develop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got proven experience against VFL opposition earlier this year, he\u2019s played for Vic Metro\u2019s under-16 side, under-18 side, has been named in the under-16 All Australian side\u2026 the list goes on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a really good kid and his teammates are going to love him.\u201d<\/p>\n