They only spoke for a minute or so, each sharing his excitement – Oscar at the family home in Edenhope, Tom in Melbourne.

McDonald joining Melbourne on Thursday night seemed like it was meant to be.

He joined the Dees at pick 53 – the very same pick Tom became a Demon four years ago – but it was not until an hour or so later that Oscar McDonald realised his newfound love as a tall defender this season also mirrored Tom.

They would be vying for selection together.

“I didn’t think that straight away, then I thought it could cause a bit of drama but I hope instead that we can work together and line up next to each other,” McDonald said.

“Mum and Dad are really happy I’m joining him at Melbourne and not moving too far away.

“I think I’m moving in with him on Sunday arvo because I start on Monday.”

McDonald said the family had no real idea this could happen, despite some romantic hype the brothers might be Demons together.

He watched the draft on television with a couple of close friends, his parents and older sister Laura – younger sister Sacha,14, is away on orientation.

Within 10 minutes of his name read – the McDonald family home was packed with mates.

It was a similar scene at the homes of his Rebels teammates and new draftees Dan Butler, who joined Richmond at pick 67, and Jesse Palmer, drafted to Port Adelaide at pick 78.

Butler, a versatile midfielder, said the whole evening had felt surreal at his Cardigan home.

“It was just me, Mum and Dad watching the draft on TV, then everyone was here,” Butler said.

“It’s an absolute honour to join Richmond. I just wanted my name read out by any club.

“I love Richmond and my parents are just rapt.”

Butler grew increasingly nervous as draft time neared.

He thought his chances were all but over when he was still left waiting by pick 60.

Moments later, Butler was talking on the phone to Tigers’ coach Damien Hardwick.

In contrast, forward Jesse Palmer was pretty relaxed at home in Swan Hill.

Palmer said he had been hopeful, but not expecting anything, when the draft started.

His was the third last name read on the Gold Coast.

Then everything erupted.

“I saw it on TV, watching with family and good friends and couldn’t believe it,” Palmer said. “I’m stoked.”

Meanwhile, St Patrick’s College football captain Liam Duggan was invited to the draft on the Gold Coast as a highly touted first-round pick.

Duggan, a Bacchus Marsh junior, joined West Coast Eagles at pick 11.

The left-footer looked forward to developing as a future midfielder.

“I can’t wait to get over there,” Duggan told Eagle Eye TV. “First things first, I’ll just get in there and earn the respect of my teammates and meet everyone and build relationships with them.”

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au