The 17-year-old, who was drafted from the Eastern Ranges Football Club in Victoria, was born in Subiaco and lived his first seven years in Beechboro before his family moved east.
“I have heaps of family in WA, so I think I will be okay moving over,” Apeness said.
“My mum and dad are happy, they will be fine with me moving.”
Speaking only minutes after hearing his name called out at pick 17, the stong tall forward was a little lost for words.
“I just really want to thank the club for picking me,” he said.
“It’s all a bit of a blur but I’m sure things will start to sink in.”
Apeness will meet fellow new recruits, Alex Pearce and Brady Grey at Melbourne airport on Sunday afternoon and all three will make the journey to West Australia together.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity and really wanting to get stuck into it,” he said.
“It’s awesome.”
