GWS power forward Jonathon Patton has welcomed the challenge of entering the AFL as the No.1 draft choice despite the pressure and expectation that comes with being top pick.
The 197cm teenager was asked by Giants officials before the draft whether he was comfortable being named at No.1 and had no hesitation in accepting the role.
"They pretty much left it up to me because there's a burden over the No.1," Patton said.
"I was asked if I wanted to be the No.1 draft pick and I said yes."
"It was my aim at the start of the year to go to the Giants because I knew they had the top picks."
"Throughout the year I said to myself I wanted to be the No.1 draft pick so it wasn't a very hard question to answer when they asked if I was comfortable with it."
"This has been my dream my whole life."
GWS was granted the first five draft picks, with Patton widely tipped to hold down top spot.
He is relishing the chance to start his AFL career at a new club and insists expectations will be low in the Giants' inaugural year.
"Our main goal is development, not how many games we win or who kicks the most goals," Patton said.
"It will take us a little while to make a real mark in the AFL but I have no doubts we will be one of the top teams in a few years' time."
"I'm looking forward to helping the Giants start up. I want to be a team player and make a physical presence in the forward line and give the boys a target to kick to."
"I want to start living my AFL career."
The Victorian-born Patton is well aware of the off-field battle in Sydney's west as the AFL chases the hearts and minds of rusted-on rugby league fans.
He wants to play his part in convincing league fans to change codes.
Patton said: "I know there are about two million people in the western suburbs so hopefully we can lure most of them into the Aussie rules code."
"It's a challenge for us to spread the word and I'm sure we'll do a good job of it and make a lot of fans want to come and watch us play."