WHEN he accidentally booked a ticket to a concert in Adelaide, Perth boy Jake Pasini couldn’t have known that his mistake would work out to be a masterstroke.
The 18-year-old key position defender was initially angry at himself when he realised he’d have to organise another ticket in his home state.
But after he was taken by Port Adelaide in the AFL Rookie draft last week, the whole scenario worked itself out.
“I’ve actually got a concert coming up next Friday. (Ziggy Alberts) is a singer,” Pasini explained after training at Alberton Oval for the first time on Monday.
“I accidentally bought the ticket this year for Adelaide and it was meant to be for Perth but it worked out so I must be able to predict the future or something.
“I think I was rushing on my phone so I quickly clicked it. It must have been Adelaide.
“I bought a Perth ticket after that and (the show) was last night so I’ve missed that one, but it’s all worked out now.”
The three days of the draft presented an anxious wait for the Swan Districts product.
While experts have lauded Pasini for his composure, foot skills and ability to read the play, he was less composed and unable to get any read on whether his dream of playing AFL football would eventuate as the draft unfolded.
“Obviously I knew on the first night I wasn’t going to get taken and on the second night I was hoping, so it was an anxious wait sitting at home and unfortunately I didn’t get picked so I was disappointed,” he revealed.
“I was pretty worried and scared. It was a disappointing night – and I didn’t get much sleep.
“I got a few calls from my manager just telling me what was going on and how Port Adelaide and a few other clubs were looking at me and, in the morning, I woke up straight away and the next pick was me.
“I saw my name there and Mum and Dad ran in screaming so it was good.”
Pasini was taken with pick eight in the AFL Rookie Draft last Friday, which thrilled his family, especially his Port Adelaide supporter sister.
But the fact he was overlooked by other clubs until then will spur the 193cm teen to prove them wrong.
“I just want to try my best and hopefully crack into the main squad and get put on the main list so I’ll do whatever it takes to crack into that.
“As I said at the start of the year, I’d go anywhere to chase my dream of playing AFL footy and my dream has come true so hopefully I get the chance to run out in the Port Adelaide colours this year.”
Pasini joined his new teammates at training on Monday along with the rest of the club’s draft haul including fellow West Australian Mitchell Georgiades.
Shoulder surgery nine weeks ago had him limited to training with the rehabilitation group but he’s expected to be in full training within weeks.
