The hard work has paid off for Calder Cannons’ Patrick Said who now finds himself on an AFL list.
Said didn’t let the disappointment of missing out on being selected for Vic Metro earlier in the year define him.
He worked even harder and it was noticed by a number of AFL clubs in the lead up to the draft.
The Saints swooped on him at pick 60 in the AFL national draft.
“It’s unbelievable in a respect, but it is believable as I’ve done all the hard work and put a lot of work into it,” the new Saint said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity. It’s not easy to make it and I’m very grateful to St Kilda and all they’ve done for me so far.”
Said, who was drafted from the Sunbury Lions, always believed he was good enough despite not making the Vic Metro team. He finished second in the Cannons best and fairest and was interviewed to the state draft combine.
“I always had the attitude, I sort of thought I had nothing else to lose now, “ he said. “Just give it all you’ve got.
“It’s difficult not being a part of that group that went through Vic Metro, but I really prided myself on getting to work, trying to make the most of my year with the Cannons.”
The Saints were one of the clubs that had spoken to him in the lead up to the draft and said they seemed very positive about them.
He said he didn’t know what to expect come draft night with no guarantees.
“Leading up to it I was pretty nervous,” he said. “I didn’t really know if I was going to go or what was going to happen there.
“When my name got read out, the whole family was over the moon and couldn’t believe it.
“A great feeling… All my mates were around, my aunty and a few family members and it was good to share that with them.”
Said paid tribute to his family for the support they had given him throughout his football journey so far.
They’ve now become Saints supporters.
It was a busy first week for Said and the other draftees. They had induction at the club the Saturday after being drafted before pre-season training got underway.
“It has been great,” he said. “We just have been sort of easing us in at the moment.
“Just translating from what we’ve been doing into what the club has been doing. It’s been a great start, can’t wait to really get into it.”
Said is currently still travelling from Sunbury across to training, while spending part of his time at his auntie’s place in Elwood to reduce the travelling.
He said he’d look to move closer early next year.
Said is hoping to make the most of every opportunity he has now.
“I really put myself out there, to learn and develop, just really work hard and do all the right things,” he said.
“Hopefully it’ll put me in good stead to maybe be a chance for around one. I want to commit to
what the Saints are offering, head down bum up pretty much.”
