THE nature of the National Draft means teenagers often have to move to the other side of the country to chase their AFL dreams.

But in Jack Lonie’s case, the commute to his new football home will take no longer than it would to cook his morning toast.

Seaford local Lonie lives no more than a firm drop punt away from Linen House Centre.

He played junior footy and cricket at the Seaford Tigers, winning multiple premierships and best and fairest awards.

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Back then, sport just something he loved and excelled at. But as of last night, football is his career and St Kilda is his home.

The last football/cricketing all-rounder to come to the Saints via the Seaford Tigers was Robert Harvey – a man who went on to win two Brownlow medals and hold the club’s games record.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Lonie told SAINTS.com.au as he checked out the Saints’ facilities on Friday afternoon.

“A lot has happened over the last 24 hours and to be a player at St Kilda Football Club is a massive honour. It’s the perfect destination for me; nice and close to home.”

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Not until about 12 months ago did the clever left footer really knuckle down. Always naturally gifted, it wasn’t until he became a regular fixture at the Dandenong Stingrays that he realised god given talent meant very little without hard work.

Lonie’s first aim was to get a game with Vic Country. His next objective was to hold his position in the team, preferably as a creative half-forward flanker.

At the end of the season, he had accomplished both of these goals and much more.

He was named Vic Country’s Most Valuable Player, ahead of his new Saints teammates Paddy McCartin and Hugh Goddard.

Typically humble yet fiercely competitive, Lonie’s presence stands taller than his 174cm frame.


Lonie at Linen House Centre on Friday.

He glossed over the MVP award, preferring to praise the professionalism of the two men who were taken with the Saints’ first two picks on Thursday night.

“Hugh and Paddy are great fellas and I always have time for them,” he said.

“They were always offering advice and were very professional with the way they went about it. I was lucky enough to learn a few things off them.”

Lonie admitted he needs to significantly add to his current 67kg frame this summer, but is prepared to put in the necessary work in order to win the respect of his teammates and push for a senior spot.

“I feel like having a full pre-season will really benefit me and improve my endurance a bit more,” he said.

listen to ‘Jack Lonie on being drafted’ on audioBoom

Like a bee around honey, Lonie’s pressure in the forward half is unrelenting.

“My strengths are probably my pace, decision-making and awareness around goals.

“I really try and use forward pressure as much as possible. If my defensive pressure is up I can get on the end of a few goals and create a bit of havoc for the opposition.”

The 18-year-old doesn’t have Foxtel, so he watched last night’s telecast with family at his Grandma’s house down the street.

On the way home, as the sun set, he passed Linen House Centre and posed for a photo with his two brothers and sister in the empty carpark.

The image was Facebook messaged to the club’s account and gained immediate traction on Twitter.

“I was just driving home from my Nanna’s and we thought we would come to the club at get a quick photo. It had a few likes on Facebook,” Lonie laughed.
Later that evening, in amongst a flurry of text messages, his phone rang.

“It was very humbling to hear Nick Riewoldt on the line. It’s something I didn’t really expect,” he said.

“He just spoke about the fact that we have a young and emerging list and told me to work hard and get involved.

“That’s exactly what I plan to do.”