Coming off a whirlwind month all stemming from their names being read out on national television, Essendon’s new draftees are now adapting to the AFL pre-season climate. 

Not just in the sense of the improving weather on the Tullamarine track either, but in picking up the pace of senior pressure against experienced teammates. For Dyson Sharp in particular, that’s been prominent right from the get-go.

Sharp is certainly an upbeat character and has been lapping up integrating into an environment filled with his idols – growing up a Bombers fan, the old adage of ‘living out a dream’ is even more specific in his case. 

The 18-year-old former SA Captain spoke to essendonfc.com.au for the Club’s draftee photoshoot in late November, reflecting on his first handful of training sessions and his anticipation for a first campaign in the big time.

Sharp on… day one 

I’d never really done a two-kilometre first up and then had to actually head onto the track to train before, so that was a good start.

I was pretty happy with my time and then we were jumping straight into what was a pretty solid session. 

It was quite eye-opening, us draftees only did half of the session, but the half was definitely enough. By the time I got off the track, I was absolutely spent, so I guess the whole thing really is just like ‘jeez, welcome to the league.’

You get to share a field with Merrett, Durham, Caldwell, you know, those types of guys that you've watched and admired on the TV, for me particularly as a midfielder, to then be in the same midfield group as them and training alongside them was really special.

Sharp on… the nostalgia of draft night

(Draft night) definitely did give back that feeling of the loyal, passionate Essendon support you’d see in six-year-old me.

For a time, you do kind of lose that (‘fan’ element in your late teens) a little bit just because you're focusing on yourself and your own development, making sure to get the most out of yourself and staying open to the idea any club could pick you up. 

You’re open-minded of the whole situation but yeah, on the night, as soon as my name got called out at pick No.13 to the Dons, that changed.

To even head up on the stage and then to have my childhood hero and idol (Dyson Heppell) present me the guernsey of the club I barrack for was pretty crazy. I had to pinch myself because I thought I was dreaming, it was such a surreal feeling. 

Sharp on… locking in 

Although that's a really nice moment, now that I'm here, it's time to get to work.

It’s important that in these next few weeks, I really just soak it all up, try and connect with everyone. First impressions are everything, so although it's nice to be at the club you support, you're here to make a statement, get into the team, play games.

(That childhood feeling) is still there, but it's also like, ‘Alright. It's time to crack in.’ 

Sharp on… integration

I'm in with Mason Redman for the moment, that whole integration's been really good. You know, with Mason being a South Aussie himself, he had ‘Clarkey’ last year, who he gets along really well with. 

(Mason) and his fiancee Emma have been really welcoming for me, I've got my own little area at the back there, which I can just kind of chill out in and then they've been more than happy for me to come inside and mingle with them and stuff like that. That side of things has been really great. 

Even just getting into the footy club – and honestly, even before I arrived – there were heaps of messages from lots of the guys welcoming me in, saying how keen they were for us boys to get started. That made things so much easier with the nerves of actually getting in and starting in the last couple of days.  

The whole Club’s been super welcoming. I’m just keen to crack in.