Pick no.14 - Heath Chapman
Pick no.27 - Nathan O'Driscoll
Pick no.50 - Brandon Walker
Pick no.54 - Joel Western

A life-long Freo fan, Nathan O’Driscoll was understandably over the moon when he was drafted at pick no.27 by Fremantle in the 2020 NAB AFL National Draft on Wednesday.

Having seen his sister Emma join Fremantle’s AFLW team a year prior, O’Driscoll couldn’t be happier to make Freo a family affair.

It was the selection that rocked Northam with the O’Driscoll family celebrating a new Freo addition. 

“I’ve got family out the back it’s just crazy scenes in the backyard,” O’Driscoll said.

“I’ve been supporting Freo my whole life and I’ve always wanted to play for Freo. Emma was there too, so that was another driver. My family hoped I could to stay in WA and it’s finally happened, so I couldn’t be happier.”

While O’Driscoll’s wish to end up in purple was clear, Fremantle also showed their desire to see the talented midfielder at the club as they made two separate trades to move up the order to ensure they got their man. 

The Perth Demons product hoped the pick swaps could lead to his selection.

“I thought ‘hold up they could be making a move here’ but as the draft went on, there were some real strange pickups, so I thought ‘maybe they could be going for another player’,” O’Driscoll said. 

“I also hoped that since Fremantle drafted (West Perth player) Heath Chapman in the first round, I thought Freo might stay local, too. 

“I’m stoked that they wanted me because I wanted to go there. It just shows that it was mutual and I couldn’t be happier.”

Chapman: Local lad's dreams come true

The addition of O’Driscoll only adds to a stacked Fremantle midfield, led by captain Nat Fyfe, veteran David Mundy and young stars Adam Cerra, Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Luke Valente.

While he was drafted as a midfielder, O’Driscoll feels he can play his best footy elsewhere on the ground.

“I’m a contested ball winner and can also play on the outside. I probably play my best footy off the half back flank, where I can use my composure and read of the play,” O’Driscoll said.

“I can also transition into the midfield and win the contested footy and I like to tackle pretty hard too. I can play on the wing as well, I’ve played there a fair bit at league level but mainly at half back.

“One hundred per cent, I’m willing to play anywhere. I’d love to play games of footy and I’m stoked that I’m on the team now. If it’s half back, on the wing or as a pressure forward, I’m happy to play there.”

Emma hasn’t been the only inspiration in O’Driscoll’s career, with the 18-year-old crediting his mother as the biggest influence on his game.

“I’d definitely say Mum’s number one because she played state netball growing up and she knew the journey to get to high level and drove me to all the training sessions and went to all my games. I think my parents are the number one as well as all of my coaches along the way,” O’Driscoll said.