Port Adelaide mid-season draftee Xavier Bamert had his first day as an AFL player on Monday, with the 19-year-old embracing his opportunity. 

Bamert missed out on last year’s national draft, but worked hard in North Melbourne’s VFL program in the hope of being a mid-season pick. 

The teenager spoke with the Adelaide media on day one about the moment he was drafted, how he motivates himself and how much he just loves footy. 

Bamert on day one of being an AFL player 
“It doesn't feel real, to be honest. Like, I came up yesterday, and moved in, still haven't got a bed yet, so it's sort of crazy. I've been to Adelaide once before, and it's such a great city. And then now meeting everyone today, and getting out on the track, like I’m still getting to know everyone, so it doesn't really feel real yet. Maybe later in the week, it'll feel like I actually belong. But the boys have been so good to get around me.” 

Bamert on the moment he was drafted 
“Yeah, it was pretty good. I don't really know how to react to those things, to be honest. I sort of knew a couple weeks ago that it was a big chance, so there's a lot of emotion in terms of, I haven't played footy for four weeks, so like just a big build-up of relief and stress, and to get that name finally called out was really big for me. And then to have all my friends and family there was really exciting, and they were really happy for me.” 

Bamert on missing out on the national draft  
“To be honest, no, (I wasn’t sure I would get here after that.) It was a pretty dark time back then, but someone said to me, it's never been hard to get drafted, but there's so many different ways, but I don't think that really set in until I started playing footy again at North (Melbourne VFL), and the enjoyment I got back playing footy. And then obviously I wasn't thinking about it in the pre-season, so it's probably only the last four or five weeks, that it really set in.” 

Bamert on his expectations going into the national draft last year 
“I think I was set up pretty well, to be honest. The dark times were probably the week prior. My manager, Nick, he was pretty good at setting (my expectations), like I probably went into the draft with maybe a 5% chance, and just the hope to get drafted. I was in at North Melbourne in the following Tuesday back training. It was a little bit dark, (but) I had my friends and family that were there, and Paul Connors was pretty big for. Personally, I think I'm a pretty driven person, so (it was important for me to) mentally get back on the grind and work hard.” 

Bamert on his drive to make an AFL list 
“Absolutely, I think (I had the drive). At North, they run a pretty good program, so I did a full AFL pre-season, so I didn't want to just go in there and waltz around and everyone go, "who's this kid? I wanted to actually show that I was worth the opportunity to myself. So, I was in there, last off the track most of the days, and just wanting to prove to myself more than anyone else that I can do this.” 

Bamert on his love for footy 
“I really enjoy footy, for me, so it's not a chore. Last off the track, some people can feel like it's a bit of a chore, and it's a thing that people tell you that you have to do. Personally, I just love working hard and getting better at things, so I think taking the hard road for me, just doing those extra five to 10% of things that you can do every day and every week to get better is really good for me, and it's not a chore at all. So, I love it.” 

Bamert on Josh Carr’s playing style 
“Yeah, I heard Josh Carr was a bit of a brute and a tough player back in the day, so yeah, I pride myself on being tough, so hopefully I fit in well and can show the boys that I'm worth the opportunity.” 

Bamert on his hope to play AFL football 
“I don't know (how soon I might play), to be honest, I don't like to pump my tyres up. I just want to get in and make a really good impression and work really hard and earn it as best as I can. 

“As you see with the mid-season draft, a lot of kids get their opportunities early. For me, being 19 years old, I'm not in a hurry, but obviously the dream is to be the best you can, and to play AFL football as fast as you can. So I'd love to, but I'm also here for the long term, and I just want to get better.” 

Bamert on the move to Adelaide 
“I don't have a bed. It's come today. I haven't set it up. So, I moved in last night with Balyn O'Brien and Mitch Zadow, just in Seaton, so 10 minutes from here, I think. Good spot. I've been out on once so I don’t really know anything around here. I'm sure those boys will take me around and show me some good spots.” 

Bamert on his partner, Carlton player Sophie McKay 
“She’s seen me go through the ups and downs and how hard I worked, so she was just really happy for me to get the opportunity, and this is the best opportunity I've had so far. So I'm just happy to happy to be here, and so is she.”