For the final time in 2019, Mike and Dom hosted The Roar Deal with new draftees Deven Roberston and Jaxon Prior popping in for a chat, along with regular guest Lauren Arnell.
Robertson said he had a sense of what the Lions were like as a team after watching their games on television last year.
“First impressions were that they were a really united group,” Robertson said.
“You watch Fages after a game and he’d be giving everyone a big hug.
“They seemed like a close unit and a really happy club and already in the first week I’ve found that to be true.”
The 18-year-old Western Australian said he was always up for playing in a different state in 2020
“I knew pretty early on that the chances of moving away were really high,” he said
It’s well documented Robertson’s first night of draft was tough. He sat through two hours of watching every other player in the room get picked up by a club and not hearing his own name called out. He went back to his hotel room with his parents, uncertain of what would happen.
That night he sought advice from his uncle Darren Glass, a premiership player, who encouraged him to stay for the second night of draft.
24-hours later he was selected with the first pick of the second round by the Lions and any disappointment from the night before was quickly replaced by the excitement at what was to come.
“This is a great opportunity. I’ll head up there and take it on,” he said.
Robertson said his reaction was more elated when he heard Prior’s name called out for the Lions later that evening.
“We’ve known each other for a long time and we’re really good mates,” he said.
“He’s one of those blokes you want to be on the same team with.
“He plays off the half back flank and he’s got the nicest left boot kick I’ve ever seen.”
Prior told Mike and Dom that he was equally ecstatic to join Robertson and how much he admires him as a teammate.
“For me to be there with him, I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
“How hard he is at the contest…he doesn’t have any awareness of his own wellbeing…his commitment and courage.”
Prior told The Roar Deal how much of an impact his father Michael, who is an assistant coach at the Dockers has had on his career.
“Without him, I don’t think I’d be sitting here today,” he said.
The 18-year-old did admit the level of professional as an AFL player has been hard to adjust to.
“It’s a lot tougher than I first would have thought but it’s awesome,” he said.
“I fall asleep on the couch, that would never happen back in Perth.”
