Fresh from winning a TSL premiership with Launceston, the 18-year-old had performed very well in the first few weeks of a new job with Garage Door Solutions.

By 12.25pm he was facing the prospect of moving to Melbourne within a week to join the Collingwood Football Club.

Shortly after North Hobart young gun Patrick Walker joined North Melbourne with pick two of the rookie draft, Chugg became the second new Tasmanian on an AFL list via pick 28.

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A bombardment of congratulations and messages from friends, family and teammates came first and calls from Steele Sidebottom, Mason Cox and Magpies coach Nathan Buckley followed not long after.

"I was on the phone with him [Buckley] on loudspeaker and that was pretty surreal," Chugg said.

"I was just like 'who's this number' and then he started speaking and I was like 'wow'."

Growing up in Longford, Chugg represented his hometown all the way through juniors and was known from an early age for his athletic ability.

The third Tasmanian on Collingwood's list has since developed into a powerful half-back who can run, carry and kick the ball long.

"I don't know how to react but it's really exciting," he said.

"I started playing footy in under-11s and my coach at the time, Shannon Williams, he spoke about having my own footy card and that's the only real AFL dream I've held onto - every time I think about the AFL I think about having my own footy card."

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Chugg joined the Blues in 2019 and played two senior games while also lining up for the Tassie Devils.

He was dropped after Launceston's opening round win over Glenorchy this year, but won a recall in round eight and kept his spot for the rest of the season.

"The support from [coach Mitch Thorp] and all of the staff here, a couple of the senior players, a few of the older heads, they've been huge in my development.

"The TSL is obviously important but I think Launceston within the TSL ... I can't explain it, [the support] has been ridiculous."