Following three picks in the top 20 of the AFL national draft, the Greater Western Victoria Rebels added another on Thursday night with Sam Butler being taken by Hawthorn at pick 23.
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Speaking to Fox Footy after being selected, Butler was filled with excitement.
"I'm absolutely over the moon, hard to put into words, just grateful for the opportunity I suppose, can't wait to get into it..." he said.
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Butler admitted Hawthorn had shown interest in him but he was not certain the Hawks would select him where they did.
"I did have a few (meetings) with them, I don't know, hard to tell really, most clubs don't really give you much indication but just once again so grateful."
Butler's selection ends what had been a superb season for the 18-year-old, which saw him race into first round calculations ahead of the draft.
Sharing his time between the midfield and forward line, Butler averaged 17.78 disposals, 3.3 marks and 4.78 tackles per game while adding seven goals in nine hit-outs.
AFL draft guru Callum Twomey had highlighted him as a potential option for the GWS Giants at pick 15 in his final phantom draft ahead of the event.
Butler eventually fell to the second round, joining an up-and-coming list with a mix of experienced guns at the Hawks with the likes of James Worpel, Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara.
Butler joins brother Dan, a small forward at St Kilda, in the AFL system.
Dan joined his brother on the Fox Footy coverage and praised him for his efforts this season.
"Obviously really proud of him, he's worked really hard for it so really excited to see him hopefully next year and looking forward to smashing him," he joked.
"I think he can be seriously pretty good, very hard worker, really good on the inside in the contest and real clean hands feeding it out, so pretty similar to someone like Zak Butters or (Trent) Cotchin."
The pre-season and rookie drafts will conclude the draft from 3pm Friday.
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