Mitch O’Neill rides the AFL dream rollercoaster before Eagles swoop

Not many have ridden the highs and lows Mitch O’Neill has gone through over the past 24 hours – from being overlooked to having his childhood dream realised.

NORTH Hobart’s Mitch O’Neill was sitting at the family dinner table, thinking his lifelong dream had been crushed before his despair was turned into delight.

A two-time under-18 All-Australian, the 18-year-old star midfielder was considered a certainty to be selected in Thursday night’s national draft.

But after the conclusion of 65 live selections, his name wasn’t called.

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He was at the dinner table on Friday morning with AFL Tasmania’s southern talent manager Mathew Armstrong and AFL Tasmania’s wellbeing manager Emma Harris making plans for 2020, when his dream was resurrected – O’Neill was off to the big league, with West Coast taking him as a rookie.

“It [Thursday night] was just shocking, I had never been that upset before and seeing my family like that was hard for me and the family,” O’Neill said.

“Mathew Armstrong and Emma Harris came over to my house to think about the future, whether to come back to the Devils or go play in the VFL.

“We weren’t really expecting it, then ‘Dogga’ [Armstrong], got a call saying I’ve gone to West Coast. That was a great memory and will be good to think back to that moment.”

Mitch O’Neill is off to West Coast as a rookie. Picture: GRANT WELLS

It was an emotional rollercoaster for the player nicknamed “Schnitta” – he once downed a schnitzel prior to kicking 13 goals in an underage final – as he was positive he would go in the national draft, but then gave up all hope prior to the rookie draft.

“It was a bit of a shock last night, I expected to go [in the national draft] but it didn’t happen,” he said.

“I wasn’t really expecting this as well today to be honest but I’m just grateful it has happened.

“It is a dream come true, I’ve always wanted to do this and it is amazing it has happened.”

O’Neill was one of four Tasmanians selected in the rookie draft.

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Former North Melbourne recruit Mitch Hibberd (originally from Clarence) has earned a second chance at Essendon, Fremantle re-selected former TSL Tigers key forward Hugh Dixon, while North Melbourne took Lauderdale defender Matt McGuinness as part of its Next Generation Academy priority rookie pick.

Mitch O’Neill, 18, left, if off to the West Coast while Matt McGuinness, 19, will be heading to North Melbourne. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

McGuinness, the youngest brother of former Brisbane draftee Josh, was informed on Wednesday he was off to the Roos, but had to sit on the life-changing information until Friday morning.

But he knows, as a rookie, he has to have an immediate impact if his AFL career is to go beyond the initial one-year contract.

“It was an awesome feeling being able to sit back and watch the drafts, so much more relaxing not having to worry about having your name called out as you already know you are going,” McGuinness, 19, said.

“[But] you don’t get long, especially as a rookie, to have a crack.

“It is a one-year contract so I’ve got to put my best foot forward and really have a crack and just try and earn the respect of my teammates.”

McGuinness will fly out on Saturday to join North Melbourne while O’Neill heads to Perth on Sunday to chase his AFL dream.