Despite being farmed right from the Saints’ own backyard, there’s a lot still to discover about draftee Olli Hotton. 

Learn about the stories behind his arrival to St Kilda, how he almost ended up in the purple and his friendship with second-year Saints Marcus Windhager and Mitch Owens. 

Campin’ in Hampton

Hampton isn’t generally seen as a camping hotspot, but it was perfect for Hotton, his family and friends on the first night of the draft.

Unsure of whether or not he’d be a first-round selection, Hotton and his family pitched a plus-sized tent in their backyard and slept under the stars leading into night two.

It was in that same spot that the draft hopeful had his name called out at pick No. 35, with the 30-strong crowd quick to flock to the newly selected Saint. 

Just down the road

While some players have a fair way to commute to RSEA Park each morning, Hotton is just a five-minute drive away in Hampton.

It almost wasn't that way with the 18-year-old midfielder was firmly on Fremantle’s radar, turning a short trek down South Road to an interstate flight across the Nullabor.

Luckily for Hotton and his wallet, James Gallagher and the Saints’ recruiting team had seen his capabilities and ensured his AFL career began much closer to home.

Like father, like son 

Like many budding footballers, Hotton has followed in his father’s footsteps to make it to the AFL.

His father, Trent, played 78 games between Carlton and Collingwood beginning in 1994, playing in the Blues’ finals campaigns across 2000 and 2001.

While Hotton wasn’t eligible to join either the Magpies or Blues under father-son rules, he is one of four current Saints to have parents who have played at the highest level, including Mattaes Phillipou (father Sam), Alice Burke (Nathan) and Caitlin Matthews (Dean). 

Another Dragon in the den

St Kilda has attracted several South Australian imports to its list in recent years, but its local bayside flavour remains just as strong.

Hotton becomes one of seven players recruited from Sandringham Dragons to St Kilda, with he and Category B Rookie Angus McLennan adding to the contingent following last week’s draft.

Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens, Ryan Byrnes, Max Heath and Jack Peris have also come from the Saints’ traditional catchment, with Hotton going to school with Windhager at Haileybury College and training alongside both he and Owens as an under-ager for the Dragons. 

Putting his name on the map 

Hotton took some time to get going in this year’s NAB League campaign, but quickly put himself on recruiters’ radars after a standout game for Vic Metro against South Australia.

Playing predominantly as a midfielder, the 18-year-old collected 24 touches and booted three goals to signal one of his best – and most important – performances.

Hotton’s year concluded with Premiership accolades in the NAB League Grand Final, before earning a place at St Kilda a few months later.