NEW Demon Jay Kennedy-Harris says being drafted by Melbourne was arguably the best moment of his life.
Kennedy-Harris, the No.40 pick in the NAB AFL Draft on Thursday night, said it was a “nervous wait and a huge relief” once he heard his name read out.
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“It’s amazing and it’s exciting, I can't wait to get down to the club and meet everyone and officially become a Demon. It’s safe to say, it’s probably the best moment in my life,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“I didn't know what to expect coming into the night, as I was hoping it would all work out well and I would end up somewhere.
“All I really wanted to get out of the night was to hear my name read out [and it did] at No.40 by the Dees. It was incredible.”
Kennedy-Harris said he had a strong inkling Melbourne might select him.
“Melbourne was definitely one of the clubs that showed really consistent interest through the year,” he said.
“When the Melbounne pick came along, I was listening pretty closely and I thought I was a fair chance and luckily things worked out my way.”
An exciting forward, Kennedy-Harris said he mixed attacking flair with defensive aspect to his game.
“When I have the ball in hand, I love to take on the game, weave around opponents and try to break the lines,” he said.
“[I like to] have a bounce, try to deliver it smartly to whoever is the best option available and bring my teammates into the game,” he said.
“Defensively, I have developed a really good work rate, so I put pressure on the other team when they have the ball.”
Kennedy-Harris said he already had some connections at the club via former Giant Dom Tyson, fellow draftee Christian Salem and young gun Jack Viney.
“Dom Tyson, we went to school together and played a fair bit of footy together so it will be awesome to see him,” he said.
“And Jack Viney I knew him from being an [Oakleigh] Charger and Christian Salem and I have been pretty good mates for the past couple of years, so it will be awesome to be at the same club as him.”
Kennedy-Harris said he was at his brother’s house when he found out he had been selected by the Demons.
“The family had come over and a couple of close friends. I was sitting on the couch and then I heard [my name] read out and I was a little bit stunned and a little bit shocked. I didn't know how to react,” he said.
“I was just absolutely excited, as everyone else was jumping up around me.
“There was hugs and kisses all around and it was just a really special moment.”
