The All-Australian had to wait until pick 52 to be selected with Walker snapped up minutes later at 63.

They have joined a long list of players to be drafted after spending time with Albury including Charlie Spargo, Zac Sproule, Lachie Tiziani, Max Lynch, Nick Coughlan, Will Setterfield, Zac Williams and Dougal Howard.

“I’m so happy,” Koschitzke said.

“I’m ecstatic to go to Hawthorn.

“I’m pretty much speechless.

“Hawthorn is always in the finals and they have such a strong history.

“I’ve been really good mates with Matty Walker for the past two years and we’ve known each other for a long time now through rep footy and stuff like that.

“It honestly couldn’t have worked out better.

“I just spoke to Matty and we’re both over the moon.”

Koschitzke spoke to 15 clubs in the lead-up to the draft and felt the Sydney Swans or Brisbane were his best chances of being drafted.

He is likely to move to Melbourne early next week.

“I haven’t spoken to Alastair Clarkson yet because he’s doing the Kokoda Trail with some players but it looks like I’ll be catching up with some Hawthorn people tomorrow,” he said.

Koschitzke started light running earlier this week following hip surgery and will join the rehab group when he kicks off training at Hawthorn.

Walker’s selection caps off a dream run for the former CDHBU junior after he played in Albury’s premiership on debut against Wangaratta at Norm Minns Oval in September.

Walker said Hawthorn was the first club to interview him.

“They came down in August and seemed pretty interested but you never know,” Walker said.

“It’s worked out unbelievably well particularly with ‘Kosi’ going to Hawthorn.

“We were drafted within a few minutes of each other and got on the phone pretty quickly to talk about how awesome it was.

“It’s good to be staying so close to home as well.”

After battling niggling injuries early in the TAC Cup, Walker exploded late in the season after being thrown into the midfield by coach Leon Higgins.

He will start pre-season training injury free.

Former Henty and Wodonga Raider dasher Sam Murray was redrafted as a rookie by Collingwood while Murray Bushranger Jordon Butts, the son of ex-North Albury player Gerard, was rookie listed by Adelaide.

Young Raider Matt Neagle didn’t find an AFL home while dual JJ Liston Trophy winner Mick Gibbons was also overlooked.