THE RUNNING man himself Jaxon Binns has arrived at IKON Park, being selected at pick No.32 at the 2022 NAB AFL Draft. 

Binns admitted that the experience still hadn’t quite sunk in, even as he and his family sat down for lunch with his newest teammates just moments before. 

“It’s a very surreal feeling and it still hasn't sunk in. Even when I was driving here this morning, I felt like I had to pinch myself: it just feels like a dream still,” Binns said.  

“I’m very excited to be here and can’t wait to get stuck into things.”

Binns was selected just two picks after fellow draftee Lachie Cowan, as the Blues orchestrated a live trade to have a double dip in the second round of the draft.

With the Stingrays product hoping to be utilised on the wing as he has for most of his career so far, it'll be Binns' running capacity which will hold him in good stead: he finished second in the agility test and third in the two-kilometre time trial at the draft combine, while he produced a 39-disposal game against the Allies for Vic Country.

“Speaking to the coaches and recruiting team, they see me playing predominantly on the wing, which is where I played most of my footy this year," he said. 

“Hopefully I can slot in there, and I also have the ability to play a bit forward: wherever the team needs me and wherever ‘Vossy’ sees me playing my best footy.”

Speaking on Voss and those immersed in his new surroundings, Binns admitted he had no idea where he was going to be selected until his turn came, but was impressed with Carlton and was quietly hoping he would land at IKON Park.

“I had a slight feeling that the Blues were interested and I was very excited by the sounds of joining the Blues,” he said. 

“The picks came around and there was a trade that they got Lachie first. I had a good idea with my manager sending me a text just before the pick No.32 that it could’ve been me, so it was a good feeling when they read my name out.”  

An emotional Binns was surrounded by family and friends when he was selected, remembering the moment as ‘unreal’. 

Both Binns’ parents were overwhelmed, and had the privilege of coming with Binns on his first day at the Club, touring the facilities and meeting all the staff and players that Binns was now a part of. 

“I was full of emotions, I think I nearly shed a tear — Mum was in tears and dad even showed a bit of emotion. I don’t see that from him very often, so it just showed how much it means to all of us,” he said. 

“It’s been a great feeling to be able to share this with my family and have them come into the Club as well for day one, it’s pretty special.”