SA’s Oleg Markov picked up by Richmond in AFL Draft

FORMER champion pole vaulter Dmitri Markov could not stop smiling on Tuesday night.

FORMER champion pole vaulter Dmitri Markov could not stop smiling on Tuesday night.

Fourteen years after he realised a dream by winning a world title, Dmitri watched his son Oleg achieve his long-held goal — joining an AFL club.

Richmond selected the high-flying North Adelaide forward with pick 50 at the AFL National Draft.

“Dad came up to me straight away, gave me a hug, gave me a kiss, gave me a handshake and said ‘you can start living your dream’,” Oleg, 19, said.

Dmitri added: “My head nearly blew up”.

“It was a massive surprise for us. I’m speechless.”

Oleg was born in Vitebsk, Belarus, but was only there for 10 months before his family moved to Adelaide in 1996.

While representing Australia over the next decade, Dmitri won the 2001 world championship in Canada and claimed a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Oleg shunned athletics despite showing promise as a high-jumper and put his leap to use with the Roosters, whom he joined in under-13s.

“I’d seen footy a few times on TV and it looked like a pretty good game,” Dmitri said.

“It’s very active, has tackles, they jump — it’s something different.”

Oleg was in the mix to be drafted last year but missed much of the season with a broken collarbone and was overlooked.

“It was disappointment but a lesson that sometimes not everything happens like in your head,” Dmitri said.

This year Oleg, who stands 188cm and 80kg, featured in two league games for the Roosters and was selected in the state under-18 team as an overage player.

“I came in with a positive mindset and did everything I could during the year, leaving no stone unturned,” Oleg said.

“(After being drafted) I couldn’t stop shaking — I was in complete shock.

“I can’t wait to hit the ground running.”

The Markovs spent Wednesday morning painting the family’s TV room as part of renovations to their home.

Soon there will be a spare bedroom but Oleg knows his dad is only a phone call away if he wants any advice once his new journey begins.

“He’s been the biggest role model in my life,” Oleg said.

“He’s always sitting down with me watching the footy and still asks a few questions (about the rules) but it’s good fun.

“He’s made me the footballer and athlete I am today.”