THE CHILDHOOD Bluebagger in Ollie Hollands couldn’t have been more delighted when his name was called out at pick No.11 last night at the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. 

His excitement was only heightened when he walked onto the stage to be met by Sam Walsh, a player who Hollands has spent his recent years attempting to emulate. In a matter of days, he will be running alongside Walsh at training. 

With all the excitement and nerves coursing through him on draft night, Hollands is keen to get cracking into pre-season, not wanting to miss a thing now that he belongs at IKON Park. 

“I’m over the moon right now. Getting drafted to the Club you barracked for as a child – it’s pretty special,” Hollands said. 

“I’m overwhelmed with joy and excitement and can’t wait to get stuck into it.”

Hollands' two-way running and football nous was what caught the eyes of the recruiters, with his time of 5:54 in the two-kilometre time trial being the equal fastest posted at this year's draft combine. 

A natural choice on the wing, Hollands - who can also play across half-back or on-ball - will be looking to players like Walsh to develop his game and develop as a person.

“The way [Walsh approaches his] inside-outside midfield craft is something that I’ve really tried to model my game on and I think his competitiveness too,” he said. 

“Just his professionalism, the stuff he does off-field and how good of a person he is – I’ll definitely try and take as much from 'Walshy’s' game and the person he is and put it into my life.” 

With Walsh known as one of the best two-way runners at the Club himself, Hollands noted he was looking forward to testing himself against the former No.1 draft pick. 

“I’ll guess we’ll have to wait and see – the inner-competitiveness in me, I’d try my best to get ahead of him but we’ll have to wait and see,” he said. 

Hollands was taken by surprise when his name was called out, admitting he didn’t really have an inkling of where he would be taken at the draft. 

While anxiousness soon turned to relief, Holland reminisced the tour he had taken at IKON Park - led by Voss - and how much he enjoyed seeing the surroundings of the Carlton Football Club. 

“I think when 'Vossy' came out and mentioned that they’re after some outside midfielders, it gave me a bit more of a sense that they could be after me,” he said. 

“I didn’t know I was going to have a tour of the Club from 'Vossy': when he popped around the corner, I was a bit starstruck. 

“The Club and the facilities that the Bluebaggers have is pretty special and I think some of the work that they’ve done is amazing.” 

Hollands' brother Elijah was selected by Gold Coast - also in the opening round - of the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, taking place in the peak of the pandemic.

Now being in the AFL landscape for two years, he had some words of wisdom for his younger brother ahead of draft night and no doubt will have more to share once Hollands get stuck into training. 

“The conversation Elijah and I had was about enjoying the night,” he said. 

“His draft night was hindered due to Covid and although it was special, I think having the opportunity to be here at the draft night was so special. 

“Elijah’s advice was just to enjoy the moment and make the most of the opportunity.”