South Gambier star Oscar Adams is the latest player from the Blue Lake city to achieve every young footballer’s dream of getting drafted by an AFL club last week.

The 18-year-old Tenison Woods College student’s dream became a reality last Thursday night when foundation VFA club St Kilda selected him at pick 51.

Adams was watching the draft on TV with lots of friends and family and was gob-smacked when his name was read out.

“It was a pretty surreal feeling because it just came out of nowhere … my sister was watching on a different television which must have been ahead because she came running in screaming ‘you have just been picked by the Saints’.

“But I was just confused and we just turned around and when it got announced on television everyone went mental.

“It was a pretty awesome feeling, but I did not know what to think and just froze.”

Despite the Saints being the club Adams thought he would be selected by, he admitted there were plenty of nerves floating around his lounge room until they were released when he was ambushed by his overjoyed friends.

“St Kilda was probably the one club I thought I would get picked up by, but I was not certain I would get picked,” he said.

“I was real nervous the whole time, especially as each pick went by with all my mates over hoping I would get picked. I was a bit of a bolter at 51 which was pretty cool.”

Adams became the 11th AFL/VFL player from a Mount Gambier club alongside current respective Geelong and Western Bulldogs stars Brad Close and Tim O’Brien and the first South Gambier Demon.

The 197cm athletic player has experience all over the ground for the Demons, but touted by experts as a defender and could follow in the footsteps of prominent Cat Mark Blicavs.

Adams wore a South jumper during his first appearance on a football field and has held an ambition of playing at the top level since he started school.

He was quickly earmarked as a standout in the Demons’ heaving junior system with his jumping and marking abilities key attributes leading the team to many premierships.

Before too long Adams found himself in the Glenelg setup after impressing in the Under 14 Glenelg Junior Carnival.

He made his A Grade debut in last year’s Limestone Coast Football League and did not look out of place, while he took countless intercept marks in the South’s 2021 Western Border minor premiership.

But Adams made an even bigger impact in Adelaide where his consistency in Glenelg’s strong Under 18’s team averaging 13.7 disposals a game earnt him a state guernsey.

During the NAB AFL Under 19 Challenge competition his stocks rose rapidly as a key defender following two huge games against Western Australia, one of which was held on AFL Grand Final day at Perth Stadium.

The state experience finished a breakout year which also saw Adams fight hard under pressure for the previously undefeated Tigers in an unsuccessful SANFL Under 18’s decider at Adelaide Oval.

He said his time at the Bay improved his skill-set enormously to put him on the AFL radar.

“It definitely assisted my player development being exposed to a higher level than what I was used to at home,” Adams said.

“Everything was professional and there was a great culture, so I think putting myself out there and giving it a crack was really helpful.

“Being able to play at the Adelaide Oval and Optus Stadium was awesome and the nerves kicked in on a massive stage.

“Every Friday I drove up to play each game and there were moments where I thought ‘is it all worth it’.

“I was exhausted at the end of the season, but at the end of the day I enjoyed it and met so many new mates and the whole experience was definitely worthwhile.”

Adams has a strong basketball background and believes his years on the court helped his footwork, coordination and game smarts on the football field.

These skills will help him fill the criteria the Saints picked him for with the 1966 VFL premiers hoping the South star can make an impact in the air as a key defender.

Adams walked through St Kilda’s doors at Moorabbin for the first time on Monday and admitted he was a touch apprehensive as to what to expect when he spoke with the SE Voice on Friday.

“It is definitely daunting to rock up to an AFL club with people you have watched almost your whole life,” he said.

“It is also exciting and all the St Kilda players have already messaged and welcomed me.

“My main focus will be getting a bit of size and weight on me because I am a tall and skinny kid, so it will be a hard-working summer.

“I cannot wait to take it all in and make the most of it.”

Adams wanted to thank his parents, school coaches Brad Maney and Kieron Buckley, plus the entire club at South led by Kain, Duncan McGregor, Peter Duncan and Brett O’Neil.

His final A Grade coach at South, Brayden Kain, said everyone at Blue Lake Sports Park could not contain their happiness for the former number 4.

“It is a super achievement because there is so much young talent in Australia and it is full credit how hard he and his family have worked over the last 18 months,” he said.

“He has always been a super talent, but since making his A Grade debut he has bulked up and become more confident against the bigger bodies.

“His running ability and agility is through the roof like Mark Blicavs and the club is extremely proud to have our first ever draftee, it shows how strong the junior system is.

“Hopefully over the next few months he can give himself the opportunity to play for the Saints and it is just the start of an incredible journey.”