Riley Collier-Dawkins says he is willing to “repay the faith” in the club that drafts him in Thursday’s national draft, regardless of what state the team is from.

With only five selections in the first round being from Victorian clubs, the odds are in favour for the Oakleigh Chargers prospect to move interstate.

But the 18-year-old isn’t fussed about having to potentially pack his bags and hop on a plane to join an AFL club.

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“I’ve prepared for it the best as I can (moving interstate),” Collier-Dawkins told reporters on Tuesday.

“I’m well aware there’s good chance I’m going to go interstate, I’m just looking forward to wherever I go and attack it like a bull at a gate.”

With clubs such as GWS, Geelong and Adelaide considering the 191cm midfielder, Collier-Dawkins is none the wiser as to who will call out his name.

“No I don’t (know who will draft me),”

“I’m just going to find out like everyone else and I’m just going to be stoked wherever I go.

The inside midfielder stands at 191cm. Photo: Mark Dadswell Source: News Corp Australia

“I don’t get much choice, but anyone who puts the faith in me, I’m going to repay the faith to them.”





The ‘go home factor’ is one of the AFL’s new buzzwords since the introduction of the two expansion clubs in Gold Coast and Western Sydney, with star players such as Jake Lever and Tom Lynch returning to familiar surroundings in Victoria.

But Collier-Dawkins explained he had known from a young age that it was a distinct possibility he could be leaving Victoria. in order to get a chance at playing an AFL game.

“I guess the go home factor is for some people,” he said.

“I sort of see myself as I’ve wanted to do this all my life. If I’ve got to move interstate you know to fulfil my dream then that’s what I’ve got to do.

The inside midfielder has drawn comparisons to Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli. Photo: Michael Dodge/Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

“They (the club) are putting all this faith into me and putting a lot of resources into drafting me, so I want to repay that faith in me out on the field for them.

The 191cm midfielder told foxfooty.com.au at October’s draft combine of his rapid growth spurt, having been about 178cm as an Under 16 — and declared he was still growing due to continuing growing pains leading to some “bad pain and sore knees.”

With just two days until his name is called out by an AFL club, Collier-Dawkins has completed all his last minute meetings with clubs and will spend some much needed time on the couch, resting ahead of what will be one of the biggest days of his life.

“I probably won’t sleep (on Wednesday night), probably toss and turn in bed. (I) just can’t wait to get there, but I’ll try and get some sleep.

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