Collingwood recruit Brayden Sier aiming for Round 1 debut despite being shock of AFL draft

COLLINGWOOD recruit Brayden Sier’s selection might have been the biggest shock of the draft but it hasn’t stopped him from dreaming big ahead of his first season.

Pies’ draft shock dreaming big

COLLINGWOOD recruit Brayden Sier’s selection might have been the biggest shock of the draft but it hasn’t stopped him from dreaming big ahead of his first season.

Handed the famous no. 35 guernsey — a rite of passage for Collingwood’s first-picked draftee each year — Sier wants to train hard, win respect and then earn his senior debut in the Round 1 clash against Sydney.

“Round 1 is where I want to get to,” Sier told the Herald Sun.

“There is a large proportion of young first-to-fourth year players at Collingwood now so there’s definitely a positive motivator there.

“My number one goal is obviously to play games and get involved and start winning games for Collingwood.”

Sier’s selection came as surprise to everyone outside Collingwood, given he’d played just two TAC Cup games for Northern Knights and didn’t test at the national or state combine.

It even came as a shock to the youngster himself. The 18-year-old didn’t expect to be taken so early — at pick no. 32 — instead just hoping his name would be called at some stage.

“It definitely was (a shock),” the new Magpie said. “I remember sitting there on the couch looking away at the time and then hearing my name and looking at the thing (TV) and then looking at dad.

“It goes a bit fuzzy from there because I got a bit excited.

“I had a bit of a thought that I might go if possible, fingers crossed obviously, but to go that early was definitely massive, I was rapt.”

Brayden Sier trains alongside Pies star Dane Swan. Picture: Mark Stewart

But it wasn’t only the shock for the 190cm midfielder. The fact he was drafted by Collingwood was also unexpected.

“To be honest, they were probably the least likely, in my mind, to pick me up,” Sier said.

“I had interviewed with them early in August and then later as the draft drew nearer they started to have a chat a bit more.

“I didn’t go to the combine so I did a bit of testing at clubs but I didn’t do any testing at Collingwood.”

Immediately after his name was called by recruiting boss Derek Hine, Sier received a phone call from new coach Nathan Buckley and soon after, president Eddie McGuire.

His life as a Collingwood footballer was officially underway — and it’s off to a flying start.

With a clean bill of health he has participated fully in pre-season training sessions and travelled to the Sunshine Coast last week with his teammates for a week-long training camp.

“At the moment it’s more focusing on getting my body right, getting the fitness in behind me so I’m able to play the role that he’ll ask of me if I am lucky enough to get a call-up,” Sier said.

“I’m getting through nearly everything, especially on the camp I was getting through nearly everything they were asking me to do.

“It comes with time I guess — the more you do the better you get at it. It doesn’t actually get any easier; you just get better at it.”

Taylor Adams in action at Collingwood training. Picture: Mark Stewart

With his training and fitness level improving, Sier wants to take the next step by learning good habits from his new teammates.

He’s watching captain Scott Pendlebury closely but has also found inspiration from emerging midfielder Taylor Adams.

“Scott Pendlebury is obviously a born leader who really shows you how to do things,” Sier said.

“It’s easy to spot, you don’t have to look far to see the little things he does day-to-day in looking after his body with recovery.

“He just does all the right things and it’s easy to see why he’s one of the best players in the AFL.

“But also Taylor Adams — it’s the really hard workers. I think that’s the key to it all — put your head down, do the right things and people start to respect you.”