JAMES Jordon was a draft bolter this season and even he couldn’t believe it when his name was called out with pick 33 in the National Draft last Friday.

“I had no idea – I had to look twice,” Jordon told Melbourne Media.

“I was just absolutely stoked and really, really excited that I got the opportunity.”

The 17-year-old was hopeful that his life-long dream of being drafted onto an AFL list would come true, but admits he was selected by the Demons much earlier than anticipated.

“I probably thought if I was a chance it would be a bit later than what it was,” Jordon said.

“But I’m absolutely stoked that Melbourne picked me up with pick 33.

“It’s a bit surreal.”

From a young age, Jordon aspired to play the game he loves professionally and couldn’t be happier to have earned that opportunity with the red and blue.

“I guess I’ve just always thought about it,” he said.

“Since a young age, just running around with the footy and seeing people at the top level doing what you want to do.

“I’m just absolutely stoked.”

But AFL wasn’t always the only option for the talented athlete.

“I played cricket up until this year,” Jordon said.

“But [footy] pretty much chose itself.

“I did a full pre-season and started to get a bit of interest, so I really just took it from there.”

Jordon, originally from Yarrawonga, followed his sporting dream and moved away from home for school, which has prepared him well for life as an AFL player.

“I started boarding at Caulfield Grammar last year,” he said.

“I’ve had to come into a new environment in a boarding house and I think that holds me in good stead coming into the football club.

“I’m just really excited.”

With crisp kicking skills, Jordon is a silky footballer who can play a role for the Demons in any position on the field.

“My versatility holds me in good stead I think,” he said.

“I think I play on the inside and the outside both pretty well, as well as I can play forward, backline or in the midfield.”

And the youngest of Melbourne’s draftees has plenty of time to work on his craft.

“My [18th] birthday’s not until the 20^th of December,” Jordon said.

“I feel like I’ve still got a little bit to grow which definitely helps and a bit more development left.”

Jordon impressed in his stint at Caulfield Grammar throughout 2018 and earned a spot in the TAC Cup where he represented Oakleigh Chargers during the season.