If you thought fans were the only ones confused by the AFL’s new NAB AFL Draft schedule; think again.

Tom McKenzie didn’t even see his name read out in Friday’s Rookie Draft after it was brought forward by 40 minutes.

“I actually did miss it,” McKenzie told North Media.

“I thought it was on at 6pm initially, but it ended up starting at 5.30pm.

“It was actually really good to get all the messages and not have to wait for my name to come up.

“I was really happy that I actually missed it in the end.”

Missing the draft proved to be a blessing in disguise for McKenzie, who believed his dream of making it to the AFL was out of reach for a second consecutive year.

“I had that three hours between the end of the National Draft and the start of the Rookie Draft, where I sort of lost a bit of faith,” he said.

“I thought that maybe my dream of getting drafted was over for that year, so I was pretty down, but ten minutes after I was picked up, I was over the moon and I couldn’t be happier.”

Although the 18-year-old wasn’t watching the action unfold live, there were plenty that were, including close friends and his new teammates and coach.

“I got a few messages from my mates and stuff, then I got a call from Jack Ziebell and Brad Scott, which was really great and made me feel really welcome,” he said.

Since becoming a North rookie, McKenzie’s experiences have been nothing but positive.

McKenzie is one of the six draftees living in a share-house with head of player development Aaron Greaves.

“It’s absolutely fantastic being around a bunch of boys that love football as much as you,” McKenzie said.

“It’s really good to get to know them more, and them to get to know me.

“All the players have said that the players you get drafted with become your best mates at the club.

“This is sort of fast-tracking the process and I’m really enjoying the company of the boys.”

The young Roos’ culinary skills were put to the test, with the group putting together a range of salads to impress some VIPs.

“It was really good having the leadership come around for dinner,” McKenzie added.

“It was a bit interesting … hopefully we didn’t make them sick or anything like that.

“It was good to have them coming over and talking about the club’s mentality and the culture that they strive to go throughout the year with.”