The expectations that are derived from the superlative-laden build up can make the draft experience a difficult one for several of the highly regarded young footballers around the country.

Fortunately, most of them have their AFL fate settled within the first two rounds of the National Draft.

So spare a thought for Collingwood recruit Jonathon Marsh who was struck by the realisation that 2013 might not be his year when his name hadn’t been mentioned by the midway point of Thursday’s draft.

“I was just at home watching on the TV,” he explained to collingwoodfc.com.au.

“I was getting pretty nervous, actually, because it was starting to get into the late picks when my family and I got the call from Collingwood so, yeah, it's pretty exciting.”

Earlier in the year, Marsh had been touted as a potential first round selection, but the way the cards fell on the night meant he and his family were left gnawing on their fingernails long into the evening.

“I had my mum, dad, uncle, granddad, my girlfriend and her parents there as well.

“After the third round mum just looked at me and said, ‘This is getting pretty insane, it’s not looking too good,’ but thank God Collingwood gave me the call up.”

Marsh said he didn’t hear much out of the Westpac Centre in the lead up to the draft but is ready to pack his bags and head for Melbourne.

“They’ve been really quiet on me actually,” he admitted.

“I’ve had a lot in the papers and everything link me to Freo or another club like that so Collingwood is a little bit out of the blue which is really good for me.”

I see myself as a tall midfielder, even though they’re saying I’m a half forward. I’m just pretty explosive with my speed and yeah, I like to think I’m pretty exciting, but everyone’s got their opinions. I’d never played forward before so I got moved into a centre half forward role. It was just a massive learning curve for me, which is what I put it down to. I was pretty inconsistent. I had some good games, I had some pretty bad games as well. It’s just a massive learning curve, learning a new role. That’s how I found it.

According to East Fremantle Football Manager Darren Fry in the latest edition of Inside Football, Marsh ran the second fastest 20-metre sprint in the history of the Draft Combine in October and boasts both explosiveness and agility.

Marsh’s consistency may need a little work, but he says his role as a key forward in 2013 helped teach him plenty about the game.

“I see myself as a tall midfielder, even though they’re saying I’m a half forward.

“I’m just pretty explosive with my speed and yeah, I like to think I’m pretty exciting, but everyone’s got their opinions.

“I’d never played forward before so I got moved into a centre half forward role. It was just a massive learning curve for me, which is what I put it down to. I was pretty inconsistent. I had some good games; I had some pretty bad games as well. It’s just a massive learning curve, learning a new role. That’s how I found it.”

The 18-year-old has already received the now famous phone call from club President Eddie McGuire welcoming he and his family to the fold and says he can’t wait to cross the country and meet his new teammates for the first time.

“I’ve heard from a couple of the recruiters and Eddie McGuire just called me and mum and just had a chat which was really nice.

“To me he just said if you’ve got any questions or anything like that to give him a call and that he’s really happy I’ve come to Collingwood.

“I think he gave mum a bit of a pep talk and said if there are any questions not being answered by anyone else just you’ve got my number and you can give me a call and I’ll always be reliable.

“It was fantastic of him.

“I just know that they (Collingwood) are a fantastic, strong club.

Every year they’re pretty talented and always up there. I know they’re such a fantastic club and I just can’t wait to join.”