WODONGA youngster Elijah Hollands will join one of the AFL's most exciting young lists after being drafted by the Gold Coast Suns with selection seven.
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Although the explosive midfielder was widely touted as a top-five pick, Hollands is thrilled to be snapped up by the emerging Queensland club.
"It's pure elation," Hollands said.
"I've wanted this for such a long time and to get the opportunity to play AFL footy, I'm over the moon."
Hollands was swamped by family and friends at Albury's Public House at a function on Wednesday night after his name was called out.
Former Wodonga stars Jarrod Twitt and Brad Thompson were among the well-wishers.
Murray Bushrangers coach Mark Brown said he was delighted to see Hollands selected in the top-10 after he ruptured his ACL training earlier this year.
"It's just reward for a lot of hard work by him and his family and friends," Brown said.
"I'm really happy for Elijah.
"Gold Coast are assembling a very talented list and he'll fit in perfectly there.
"I've said it consistently but I think he's the most rounded footballer that's been through the Murray Bushrangers in my seven years with the club
"He's ticks a lot of boxes.
"There are a lot of elements to his game which are at AFL level.
"I'm sure that will hold him in good stead."
Hollands is the first top-10 selection from the Border since Brocklesby's Justin Koschitzke was picked up by St Kilda with selection two in the 2001 draft.
"To be honest I'm thrilled," Hollands said. "Gold Coast has an unbelievable young core group of players and to be able to mix in with those guys and get stuck into work with them over summer, I'm truly thrilled and I can't wait."
Hollands, 18, will join his teammates on the Gold Coast on Friday.
He attracted the Suns attention by winning the Cameron Ling medal as the best level 1 AFL Academy player in the country in 2019.
The young gun has followed in the footsteps of his father, Ben, who played eight matches for Richmond in 1999.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was taken at number one in draft after the Western Bulldogs matched a bid from Adelaide for the exciting key forward.
Adelaide then took South Australian forward Riley Thilthorpe before North Melbourne sprung the first shock of the night by selecting midfielder Will Phillips.
Sydney followed up with West Australian Logan McDonald, who kicked 21 goals from nine WAFL games for Perth, and then matched Hawthorn's bid on academy player Braeden Campbell.
The Hawks took highly-rated defender Denver Grainger-Barras with pick No.6.
