PORT ADELAIDE’S first selection in the 2017 National Draft Sam Hayes was thrilled when his name was finally read out, after admitting to being slightly nervous as the night progressed.

Hayes slipped to no. 47 in the draft, which shocked many experts who believed the 202cm ruckman would be selected in the top 20, but the number didn’t faze the 18-year-old.

“It was a little bit daunting, a little bit of a long night,” Hayes told Rowey and Bicks on FiveAA on Monday evening.

“I was just happy to have my name read out, I didn’t really focus on what number it was.”

Not satisfied by simply making an AFL list, the two-time U18 All-Australian ruckman is determined to become the best possible player he can, and admits an improvement to his aerobic capacity is essential.

 “I think within the game I run alright, but (my endurance) has been the knock on me to date,” he said.

“I know I will get better, I’m going to be within the environment every day, so I’m only going to benefit.

“I’m really going to attack it. That’s the thing I really need to work on, and that’s what I’m focusing on already.”

Hayes and his fellow draftees, along with the second-year players will travel to Sydney next week to train with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, while the rest of the Port squad will continue their 2018 pre-season campaign at Alberton.

Dixon, Hayes and Hartlett working hard in week one of pre-season

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