WHEN young Swan Hill resident Toby Thoolen became a Magpie last November, no-one was more surprised than him.
Thoolen, a former Bendigo Pioneer and bottom-age draft selection, had not even thought about the possibility of joining an AFL club last year.
In fact, he almost wasn't eligible to be considered by any of the 16 clubs on offer. The youngster, who was yet to turn 18, didn't actually lodge the necessary paperwork in time for the November 24 draft.
"I forgot to nominate for it, and then Derek Hine [Collingwood recruiting manager] rang me up and said, 'You're supposed to nominate', and I did then," he told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"On the Thursday before the draft, I met with the club, but it was the only time I knew Collingwood was interested.
"On draft day, I was out on the Murray on a party boat, and mum and dad were out in the middle of the paddock listening to the draft on the radio because that's the only place they could pick up the signal.
"They were out in the Hilux when they rang me up and said I'd been picked up, which is when Eddie [McGuire] and Mick [Malthouse] rang me up. It was crazy."
Not only did Thoolen have to cope with the prospect of joining an AFL club, somewhat unexpectedly, but he had to quickly adapt to the idea of moving to Melbourne – and making the state-of-the-art Lexus Centre his new home away from home.
"I didn't have much information about the draft, and when I heard I'd been picked up by Collingwood, I was just so surprised," he said.
"It was pretty big arriving at the Lexus Centre. On the first day, I was just out of it.
"It was a huge shock to get drafted, and it didn't really matter which club it was, but Collingwood was a bonus."
Thoolen has played football since he was nine years old, but believes he didn't really start to think of the sport as a potential career until his number was called at selection No.47 on draft day.
However, his commitment to achieving elite status could not have been questioned once he made the Pioneers under-18s side.
"It's about two hours from Swan Hill to Bendigo, and we trained on Wednesday nights and Friday nights down there, so I didn't do too well in year 12," he recalled.
"I didn't study much because it was pretty hard to juggle both school and footy.
"We car-pooled a bit because there were about four of us from Swan Hill playing, which made it a bit easier. Then I got my licence last year so that made it a bit easier too."
And so, the burden of travelling in the name of sport was something Thoolen and his family were used to this year when he made the move from Swan Hill to Melbourne.
"Mum was pretty sad when I left but I was alright with it," he said.
"It is hard leaving my friends and family up there. I miss them a bit, and I've been back about three or four times this year.
"Now, mum and dad come down every week to watch me play, which is a four-hour trip one way. They're pretty dedicated."
Living with fellow Magpie youngsters John McCarthy and Brent Macaffer has helped Thoolen settle into Melbourne life, as has the positive welcome the team has given him.
As for playing, he's being "thrown around a bit", as emerging players tend to be, and is being trialled as a centre half-back and centre half-forward rather than just in the ruck position he's used to.
"It's a lot different to the ruck; you have to follow your man around everywhere," he said.
"I'm learning about the positioning a lot more. When I play up forward, I'm learning how to lead and stuff like that.
"The forward coaches have given me some ideas, and Alan Richardson [development coach] helps us out as well, going through the tapes and stuff."
After missing the first VFL match of the year with an ankle injury, Thoolen is now determined to put himself in the best position possible to push for senior selection in 2009.
"I wanted to put as much muscle on as I could, and get a lot stronger, which was the main key," he said.
"One of my goals was to play every game and develop as much as I could, and see how I go next year and if I get a senior game."
