WESTERN Jets young gun Jayden Post couldn't have been more thrilled when his teammate of last year Callan Ward's AFL dream came true when he was drafted by the Western Bulldogs.
"I was absolutely rapt for him," the Bulldogs supporter said.
The 194-centimetre key position player has his fingers crossed that there's a happy ending to his own AFL dream at the national draft on Saturday week.
The 18yearold is in with a big shot for footy glory after an outstanding season with the Jets, which culminated in winning the Barry Round Medal after topping the votes for the best and fairest award.
The fiercely determined Post is attracting tremendous interest from AFL clubs. It's believed he's been interviewed by West Coast, North Melbourne, Geelong, Fremantle, Collingwood and Adelaide in recent weeks.
The modest champ in the making is taking all the hype in his stride.
He was busy helping out at his father Brendan's business in North Williamstown when contacted by the Banner.
"I do a bit of everything; just help out Dad when he needs me," he said.
He enjoys every minute of it, as it helps relax him by taking his mind off footy.
Post concedes that talk about him being drafted or rookie-listed by an AFL club is "pretty nerve-racking, but exciting at the same time".
"It's the kind of stuff you dream of as a kid when you were kicking the footy around for the first time and watching footy on the television," he said.
He insists he's ready for an AFL call-up.
"Footy is pretty much my life. I live and breathe it," he said.
But Post is determined to keep his feet on the ground. He knows there are no guarantees.
"It;s a long wait [to the draft]," he said.
Post is desperately keen to start pre-season training with Victorian Football League powerhouse Williamstown.
The Seagulls are aligned with his cherished Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs know all about young Post.
Development coach Brad Gotch also coaches Williamstown and, coincidentally, presented Post with the Barry Round Medal at the Jets presentation night.
"Jayden is a hot prospect, that's for sure," Gotch said.
Not surprisingly, Post was delighted to win the Jets' highest individual award.
"It's definitely the biggest achievement of my career so far," he said.
"To win a medal named after a Brownlow Medal winner and a champion like Barry Round is a big honour.
"I was pretty excited and nervous at the same time. I'm rapt to have my name alongside Cameron Lockwood, Kane McKenzie and Anthony Chiu.
"They're doing really well at Williamstown."
It was the first best and fairest award he's won since his days with the Altona juniors under-9s. One of five over-age players the Jets were permitted to play, Post was pretty happy with his form.
"There are always aspects of your game you need to improve and work on hard, and I think I did that."