Like hundreds of youngsters across the nation, Jay Nash had settled in next to a computer to tune into a live webcast of the AFL's National Draft last Saturday morning. The 17-year-old Central Districts reserves premiership player had spoken to a number of clubs and while hopeful of getting picked up he knew nothing was certain. So he was understandably nervous as the draft drew closer.

While the National Draft is somewhat of a lottery, so to is some computer access to the website. ""We had gone to my auntie's place to listen on the website. It was all set up to go 10 minutes before the start and then the line dropped out and we couldn't get it back - I think it must have been the amount of traffic,"" Nash recalled last night.

So the draft was underway and Nash had no idea of where he might be headed or how he was going to find out. ""We ended up tuning into the local radio station where they were doing reports and that was how we found out. It would have been a while after the actual event,"" Nash said.

But the wait was worth it for the young Essendon supporter who has a poster of James Hird on the bedroom wall of his parent's Adelaide home. When news came through Essendon had taken him with their third selection (28 overall) he was thrilled. ""I was over the moon - it was just fantastic,"" Nash said.

Nash has played in the Central Districts reserves for the past two seasons - they have won the premiership in both years. He played off half back most of last season but he has also played in the midfield and on a wing. Nash didn't attend this year's AFL National Draft Camp because it coincided with the Grand Final.

Nash heads to Windy on Wednesday. Three teammates from the Central Districts reserves' side were also drafted. Sam Butler (selection 20) heads to West Coast, Bradley Symes (30) is at Port Adelaide and Eddie Sansbury (40) is just down the road at the Kangaroos.