Port Adelaide selected three players in Wednesday night’s mid-season rookie draft, making AFL dreams come true for Harry Ramm, Ewan Mackinlay and Mani Liddy. 

All three players were overlooked in their draft years, with Port Adelaide giving them a second chance at making it at the top level. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Thursday, the trio spoke on how they found out the news, their journeys so far, and what they can bring to Alberton. 

Harrison Ramm 

Ramm on finding out he got drafted at training on Wednesday night 
“Oh, it was good. It was a great experience. Like the boys mean so much to me. They've given me great opportunity and great guidance throughout the year. So it was good to spend the time with them and sort of celebrate with them a bit. And yeah, I just came out of the warm-up, and sort of had an inkling that I knew something was going on when they started bringing everybody in the huddle. So yeah, it was great experience to share with the club.” 

Ramm on talking to Port Adelaide before the draft 
“I came into the club Monday and was sort of talking to a few other Melbourne clubs before that, so I was torn between where I thought I was going to go. So it was a bit of a surprise for me on Wednesday. (Staying in Adelaide) is good. I think it will definitely help me sort of ease into the AFL lifestyle.” 

Ramm on developing as a young tall 
“Yeah, I think it probably will take me a bit longer, but I think with the quality that's out there, like Aliir and those other key defenders, I think I'll be able to learn pretty quickly off those guys.” 

Ramm on his best position 
“Well, I have been thrown around in quite a few positions this year, so I played (mostly back), a bit up forward and bit in the ruck so I sort of am able to play a bit of everywhere, which is good for my game. 

“I have always played a bit of ruck in juniors. And so I think there's definitely a possibility to get thrown in there every now and again. But yeah, I'll just see what the boys out here have to say, and if the opportunity arises, yeah, I'd definitely take it.” 

Ramm on his running capacity 
“Well, it's definitely come from. I did a bit of running with (running coach Luke Hildyard). I've been training with him for probably the past two or three years, and it’s definitely helped, just for the pre-season, a little bit of extra top up running out there. And then, yeah, I competed in a few events, Bay Sheffield, did the 550 there, which was good.”  

Ramm on not getting drafted last year 
“I honestly think I probably wasn't ready last year. I had a lot going on and faced a bit of injury before that season, so I didn't have a good season on the track before that. So it just took a good pre-season, good people around me, to level up my game and put myself in contention.” 

Ramm on Glenelg teammate Oscar Adams getting drafted  
“Big Oscar Adams, yeah, he's been unreal in the back line, just giving me guidance. And, I mean the whole back line’s great at Glenelg, they definitely helped me level up my game. I had Oscar, Proudy (Max Proud), all those boys who know the game so well and have been a part of it for so long.” 

Ramm on the prospect of getting an AFL opportunity  
“I think there's definitely opportunities back there. And I think, yeah, talking to the guys on the track in the next few days will definitely get a gauge of how they're going and how I can work forward to try and put myself in contention.” 

Ramm on learning from Aliir Aliir 
“Oh it's an unreal feeling. Yeah, just like going from learning off Proudy, like the best in the SANFL, to now the best in the AFL, it's a great feeling. And I’m really excited to learn.” 

Ramm on advice from his ex-AFL Glenelg teammates 
“They just said take your opportunity with both hands and embrace everything. Because, yeah, they know how quick it can be (over) and if you don't take it 100 per cent, you can get shuttled out the other side pretty quickly.” 

Ramm on playing on Liam McBean at training 
“Definitely Liam McBean and (Lachie) Hosie in pre-season were unreal to training against, two of the best forwards in the SANFL. So that definitely prepared me for the season, and I felt like I had that little extra edge on everybody. So it gave me that little extra one or two per cent. I haven't really been able to train on forwards of that quality in the past few years.” 

Ramm on what he was doing before being drafted 
“I have started uni. I'm doing mechanical engineering at the moment, full time. I’m meant to be there right now, actually! So, I’ve got that and then I had work yesterday as well. I work in a timber yard building trusses, which sort of relates to mechanical engineering a little bit. I think I might have to go back to (studying) part time, but I'll definitely continue this semester, not waste what I've done so far. And yeah, I've got exams coming up, so I’ll try and lock in for those.” 

Ewan Mackinlay 

Mackinlay on getting drafted 
“I was actually at training, getting into it at North Adelaide. And then we went and got a drink, and someone sitting there on the benches said that I got called out and all the boys got around me. It was a great feeling.” 

Mackinlay on if he expected to be drafted 
“I had an inkling that I might go somewhere. But, like, I wasn't certain. I don’t think anything’s certain on draft night, I guess. I had a feeling, but not certain. I’d spoken to Port and a few other clubs from Melbourne, but I sort of thought if I was going to go anywhere it would be Port Adelaide.” 

Mackinlay on deciding to train rather than watch the draft 
“Nah, I sort of wanted to get out there and take my mind off it, and be around the boys. And I think it worked well, I wasn't really stressed out, which was nice. As soon as I got called out, I went off the track.” 

Mackinlay on his position 
“I think I'm mainly a half forward, sort of a link player. Could see myself playing there. I've developed my wing game a bit this year as well. So I think half forward or wing, I could see myself playing.” 

Mackinlay on if he can see himself keeping up with the speed of AFL 
“I think so, yeah. I was lucky enough to play in the first state game this year. And the longer it went on, I felt like I was able to get that level. So yeah, I've got confidence that I can do that.” 

Mackinlay on his year so far 
“I’ve just tried to have a big pre-season, put on a bit of muscle size, and then all the coaches and people around me have just given me a lot of confidence and backed me in to let me play how I want to play, which has been really, really good.” 

Mackinlay on his team growing up 
“Yeah I was a Carlton supporter growing up. So that’s changed pretty quick, obviously, to Port Adelaide!”  

Mackinlay on Port Adelaide playing young players at AFL level 
“Yeah, it's exciting. I think Logan last year, he played in the prelim final, which incredibly impressive. So it's definitely exciting to know that there could be opportunity there if I'm able to go out and play well in the SANFL.” 

Mackinlay on having faith in himself 
“I think so. I've always been told my whole life, if you’re good enough, you'll get there. So I've just sort of stuck to it. I’ve tried to do what my coaches have told me the whole way and then see where the journey takes me. 

“I think I definitely, not doubted myself, but just wondered if I was good enough to get here. I've sort of had a unique journey, the way I've got here, but I wouldn't change it, and I think it's made me appreciate the opportunity that Port have given me so much more.” 

Mackinlay on his journey so far 
“My draft year, I was just playing at Holbrook in seniors there, and just enjoying it, which is probably a bit different to most draftees. But I've just come through country leagues. And obviously playing at North Adelaide last year, they gave me an opportunity, which I was so grateful for. And now Port have. 

“I think obviously, as a kid, you always want to play AFL footy and be on an AFL list. So I've always had that in my mind, that I've wanted to do it, but I think I just had to appreciate the journey. And sometimes people take a bit longer to get in. I think I might have been one of those.” 

Mackinlay on his experience in country footy 
“Yeah, I think you sort of learn a lot of different things. I've had a lot of different coaches along the way who have all taught me different things. And, yeah, I think just playing with people, you sort of enjoy life bit more. You enjoy your footy more. So I think building those relationships it's something I've picked up, and I think that's important to playing good footy with people.” 

Mani Liddy 

Liddy on getting drafted 
“It was really exciting. I was really nervous, as all the other boys probably would have been, but really excited for the opportunity. 

“I was at the footy club (Central District). I actually spoke to my manager. I said, should I train or not? And he said, nah, maybe not! So I sat and watched the draft with my footy boss, Mark Ross and then once my name got called out, I went and saw the boys. And yeah, there's a nice video of it, but they all got around me and they're all really happy for me. (I was) overwhelmed and really excited. It still hasn't really sunk in.” 

Liddy on talking to Port Adelaide in the lead-up to the draft 
“I heard from them on Friday and then came in for an interview and a medical on Monday. So yeah, I thought something might happen. And I'm really glad it did.” 

Liddy on if an AFL opportunity comes up 
“I feel like I'm ready to go when an opportunity comes up, yeah, I'll definitely be ready to go.” 

Liddy on if he thought he would get drafted 
“Yeah, I've always aspired to get to the AFL and I had a really big off-season, and then strung a few good games together. And I thought it could have been a chance. Deep down, I knew I always could get (to the AFL). It's just a personality thing, I guess. I'm a very determined person. I've got here now, but yeah, my journey’s only starting.” 

Liddy on having a good off-season 
“I just trained a lot harder. Put myself with some players who I knew run really good 2km times, and really good runners like Harry Grant, Leyton Chisholm, Wilson Barry, and then, yeah, just changed few of my eating habits. I've always been a good eater. Mum's a chef, so shout out to her. But yeah, just saw a nutritionist in terms of how I can be prepared for games better. And that helped a lot.” 

Liddy on Logan Evans’ success since being a mid-season draftee 
“He (Evans) flicked me a message last night, which was nice. It's good to see someone like him get a long-term contract. And he's had a pretty big impact at the club in such a short time.” 

Liddy on speaking with Ken Hinkley last night 
“He gave me a call last night. We had a chat for five or 10 minutes, just asking about family and my upbringing and my journey. So it was nice to hear from him.” 

Liddy on having life experience before being drafted 
“Yeah, I've been chatting about that with my family, and I said, I'm glad that I had to go and get an apprenticeship, got a qualification as refrigeration mechanic, so it was good to go and experience life. And now I'm a lot more grateful that I've got the opportunity for the six months to play footy for a living. So yeah, I'm really excited.” 

Liddy on his new draftee teammates 
“It's exciting. I get to start my journey with two boys who are going to experience the same thing. So, yeah, it's really exciting.” 

Liddy on who his family barracks for 
“Everyone's different. Dad's Freo, mum’s Sydney and my sisters are Crows and well, now I'm going to make them go for Port!” 

Liddy on leaving Central District 
“I don’t think one player is a massive change to a team but I know they’re still going to have a very successful season, they’ve set themselves up in the last three years, just building towards this season. I believe they're still going to be fine without me.”