MIDFIELDER Nathan Stark - Melbourne’s first selection in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft - says he “wasn’t confident at all” about being drafted.

Stark, who was the third player selected overall, said he was “pretty nervous” before the draft, but “excited” once he knew his destination.

“I got a call from Melbourne [before the draft], asking how I was feeling and how was my body was holding up and then I got another one asking who had spoken to me,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“I wasn’t really going in with any expectations, but when I found out I was going to Melbourne, I was absolutely thrilled. I’ve had to come a long way and to finally get rewarded for something you dream about as a little kid - it was just a great feeling.

“I was just happy to be invited to the Draft Combine … that’s why I was a bit more excited than some other players at the Draft Combine, because there was more pressure on them, as they were expected to go.”

Stark, 18, from Glenelg, was an impressive performer for South Australia in this year’s NAB AFL under-18 championship, averaging almost 19 disposals per match.

He is known for his aggressive attack on the contest, particularly in one-on-one situations. His tackling and decision-making are also strong points.

On Wednesday, Stark will be flying up to Darwin on an 8:45 am flight to join his new teammates and coaches. He said recruiting boss Todd Viney rang him immediately after the draft and told him the plans.  

“I had a phone call from Todd and then Craig [Lees] the player welfare manager and they just congratulated me and wished me best of luck. They told me what the plans were for the next two days,” he said.

“I’m excited about coming up and meeting the boys and bonding with them.

“I’m looking forward to the heat up there in Darwin, so I’m absolutely rapt to join Melbourne.”

Stark will already know a few Demons, having played in the championships with fellow Croweater Jimmy Toumpas. He also knows Jack Viney, from when he was in South Australia.

“They’re the only two I know so far, but I’ve also trained with James Sellar last year for a little bit at Glenelg,” he said.

In fact, some talent identifiers have likened some of Stark’s qualities to Viney.

“I’m an inside midfielder and I love the contest,” he said.

“I guess that’s where people compare me and Jack, because of the way we play.

“Obviously Jack has his strengths that I don’t have, but I’ve got some strengths that he doesn’t have, so that’s where they get the comparisons from.”

Originally from Mt Gambier, roughly 450 km south-east of Adelaide, Stark played for “numerous clubs” in the region and finally with North Gambier, before he moved to Glenelg.

Stark has only been to Melbourne once before, when he played for South Australia in the under 18 championships, but he is eager to start his new chapter in Victoria.

“I was there for a week and I absolutely loved it over there,” he said.