Watching the AFL Draft with his family, mates and his girlfriend, Sam Banks' selection at pick 29 came as a shock to him.
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Despite the Tigers being one of several interested clubs, the Clarence and Devils star thought his wrist injury may set him back.
However, his name was read out and the calls followed.
"I had a phone call from Tom Lynch this morning, my phone was blowing up and I actually missed it but he sent me a message and just before I left home, I had a call from Damian [Hardwick]," Banks said.
"He's overseas at the moment but it was great to hear his voice and he's back over on Monday, so hopefully I get to meet him then."
In being drafted, Banks became the fourth Tasmanian at the Tigers by joining Jack Riewoldt, Toby Nankervis and new housemate Rhyan Mansell.
Born and raised in Whitefoord, 20 minutes south-east of Oatlands, Banks had a strong under-16 carnival as a top-aged player before continuing to improve.
One of many overseeing that rise was former Richmond player and Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley, who is now coaching the Tasmania Devils.
He said his former AFL side reached out to him several times in the past year to talk about Banks.
"The last time was probably about a month ago but there's not too much to find out about Sam really to be honest," Webberley said.
"He's a country boy, he's straight down the line, he's got a kind heart and he's obviously been a captain of the state for a number of years, so there wasn't much dirt to dig out."
The sole non-Victorian picked up by Richmond in the national draft, Banks flies to Melbourne on Saturday.