Tory Dickson was familiar with the nervous lead up to draft day, having been in the mix for a number of years - but with multiple Clubs showing interest in 2011, the skilful forward knew his chance could be just around the corner. 

When Dickson saw his name appear on the TV screen it took him a moment to convince himself that his dream of becoming an AFL player had become a reality.  

“To be honest I had… been overlooked for a fair few years, so it was exciting because I had a lot more interest last year than obviously the years before,” Dickson said.  

“I talked to a few more probably important people and they said I was, yeah, [a] good chance if I continued on my way.

“It took me a couple of minutes to actually hit me that, yeah, I was an AFL listed player and what better Club to go to than the Western Bulldogs - was over the moon.”

Playing for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL that year, the mature aged recruit had also spoken with AFL affiliate Essendon before the draft when he was selected with the Western Bulldogs third round selection (pick 57 overall). 

Dickson admits walking into Whitten Oval was daunting, brushing shoulders with a number of players who he has grown up watching. 

“It was exciting and a little bit daunting at the same time to meet the guys that I have watched play AFL for a fair few years,” he said. 

“Was a little bit daunting to tell you the truth but all the boys made me feel really, really welcome and really at home - and even the coaches, they were great.”