The Myrtleford and Murray Bushrangers product had waited more than four hours during Wednesday night's national draft when his name was called after 11pm by the Western Bulldogs with pick 55.

He becomes the eighth player in Myrtleford's history to reach the top flight, but amazingly he almost missed the moment.

"Most of my family were asleep and I was nearly asleep myself because I worked at six o'clock that morning," Bedendo said.

ALSO IN SPORT:

"I had to go to work again at 6am until 4pm (yesterday). I'd already committed to work so I had to do it (laughs).

"They (Western Bulldogs) gave me a call straight away and I had about 50 phone calls in 10 minutes.

"I missed most of them and I finally picked one up. I couldn't really comprehend what was happening. It was amazing.

"I'm still in shock to be honest. It's surreal.

"I've had so many messages, so I'm not too sure who has tried to contact me."

Bedendo admitted his nerves got worse the longer it dragged on.

"I didn't know what was going to happen. All of a sudden my name got read out and everything else is a blur to be honest," he said.

"I'm so grateful for the opportunity the Dogs have given me and I'm excited to show them what I can do."

Bedendo can't wait to play alongside some of the game's genuine stars in Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and former Collingwood and GWS midfielder Adam Treloar.

He and number one selection Jamarra Ugle-Hagan were the Bulldogs' two picks at the draft.

"On a Vic Country camp he (Ugle-Hagan) and I were roommates, so I know him pretty well and I'm excited to get to know him better and hopefully play with him," Bedendo added.

Bedendo will meet his new teammates for the first time when he arrives at Whitten Oval on Sunday.

He'll be one of three Myrtleford products in the AFL next year with Jack Crisp (Collingwood) and Matt Taberner (Fremantle) established league footballers.

Meanwhile, Deniliquin's Will Shaw was selected by the GWS Giants as a category B rookie yesterday.

The Deniliquin High School graduate played 14 of 16 games for the Bendigo Pioneers in 2019 on the wing and across half-back.

Because Shaw is a NSW zone player who nominated for the draft, the Giants can add him directly to their list after he was overlooked on Wednesday night.

"He was on our radar but wasn't someone we considered last year, however, given the circumstances this year, we think he has some real upside given his speed and endurance combination and his ability to create off half-back," Giants' national recruiting manager Adrian Caruso said.