Fremantle rookie Ryan Nyhuis played his first year of senior football and won a premiership, but 2016 promises to be more exciting.
The 19-year-old was playing club level football in Darwin a little over a year ago but on Friday morning, he earned his spot on an AFL list.
Nyhuis was drafted at pick 34 in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.
The 188cm NT Thunder product said the past year had been a whirlwind.
Pick 34 - Ryan Nyhuis
“I went through the rep teams with NT Thunder,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to play in the NEAFL premiership with NT Thunder’s senior side this year, in my first year in seniors.
“It’s been a crazy 12 months, transitioning from club level footy to getting picked up in the Rookie Draft.”
Nyhuis said he only focussed on football at about 16."
“I played a lot of soccer as a kid growing up as 15,” he said.
“I only started taking AFL seriously at the age of 16.
Good mix secured
Nyhuis will visit WA for the first time when he heads west to join Fremantle.
“I’m born and bred in Darwin, I’m ready for a move,” he said.
“From all reports WA is a beautiful place, I’m really excited to head down.”
Nyhuis was at work when he found out he was drafted.
The first person to call was his NT Thunder coach and former St Kilda and Brisbane player Xavier Clarke.
“He was full of praise for me and I just wanted to thank him for the season,” he said.
