Sydney Swans young gun Tom McCartin sat at home with just his mum and dad and two brothers by his side, hands clenched and wide-eyed in hope.

Although many other draftees open the doors of their living room for a flood of friends and family on the night of the AFL Draft, McCartin’s preference was to keep things low-key.

The towering youngster laughs “it wasn’t much of a big crew just in case I didn’t get picked”.

But that he did, grinning from ear to ear as young Swan Callum Mills announced his name at the 2017 AFL Draft before signing with Sydney via its second selection.

Sydney’s recruitment team will join all other 17 clubs at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium for the 2018 AFL Draft on Thursday and Friday, a selection pool presenting Australia’s best young and mature-age footballers.

McCartin says last year’s Draft and his early days as a Swan made for a surreal time.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect at the Draft but once my name was called out I was over the moon,” McCartin told SwansTV.

“It’s kind of tough to remember the first couple of weeks. It was a bit of a whirlwind. Just trying to get to know everyone and watch the first couple of sessions was pretty crazy.

“Then I slowly got into the running and the other drills. I got settled in the first couple of months and really started to love it.”

The youngest player in the AFL didn’t have to wait long to earn his senior debut, slotting in for the Swans’ gripping eight-point win over the Hawks at the MCG in Round 8 on a Friday night.

It doesn’t get much bigger than that.

McCartin had the best seat at the ‘G for his housemate’s seven-goal heroics, with lively youngster Ben Ronke – in just his third AFL match – setting the stadium alight.

McCartin says hearing the news of his AFL debut and facing the Hawks in a thriller are moments he’ll never forget. 

“I was just sitting at home on the phone to my mum and then I got a knock on the door and opened it up and it was John (Longmire) and he told me I’d be making my debut,” McCartin said.

“I don’t think that happens very often so I was a bit shocked. I was over the moon, I couldn’t believe it, I got straight back on the phone to my parents and they were pumped. They couldn’t believe it.

“Then the game itself was unreal with Ronke kicking seven goals. I wish I could go back to it. It was such a good game and a great experience.”

McCartin booted his first AFL goal as Sydney defeated Fremantle at the SCG in Round 9, nailing a right-foot snap from the pocket and finishing with two majors for the night.

The 18-year-old played 15 senior games in his first season in red and white, providing a tall option forward of the ball alongside star Swan Lance Franklin.

While McCartin says he has set new goals for his second AFL campaign ahead of season 2019, a number of draftees will next week take the first steps of their journey.

And if McCartin’s first season is of any indication, the soon-to-be Swans are set for a journey to cherish.