When St Kilda took him in Wednesday's AFL mid-season draft, it was about 18 months since 15 clubs who spoke to him in 2019 decided not to give him a chance.

But the 20-year-old Leeton-Whitton product never lost faith. In fact, it's made his dream finally coming true even sweeter.

After juggling part-time bookkeeping in Adelaide with playing SANFL for Woodville-West Torrens this year, life's about to get a bit more interesting.

"It definitely makes it a lot more special, knowing I got so close in 2019 and missed out," Sharman said.

"To make it happen a year-and-a-half later, it's pretty special. I knew if I worked hard and kept playing good footy it would come.

"If I got drafted as an 18 or 19-year-old I'm not sure how much I would have appreciated it. To be made to wait for my chance, it's made it so much sweeter. I'll work as hard as I can to keep my spot."

"In 2019 I spoke to 15 clubs, so nearly all of them, and went to the National Combine. I reckon 80 or 90 per cent of the guys at the Combine got drafted."

The COVID pandemic meant Sharman was one of many Crows juniors to return to play for the club in last year's shortened AFL Riverina Championships.

He finished as the league's top goal-scorer, then signed with the defending SANFL premiers.

After beginning in the reserves he has impressed in two senior games, and expects to head to Melbourne in a couple of weeks when the COVID situation eases.

IN OTHER NEWS

"Last year being able to play in the AFL Riverina was so much fun, being able to play with all my mates back home again.

"But there was still the drive there to play state league footy and hopefully make it into the AFL. I want to play as high a level as I can.

"Being able to play footy at any level last year was awesome. It allowed me to continue my footy, albeit at a lower level, but it helped me continue my form.

"I question myself now how much fitness and running I would have done over that period if I wasn't playing footy."

A hard-leading forward with strong hands overhead, Sharman has been working hard to put bulk on his slender frame and has stacked on five kilograms since the start of pre-season.

He was first told by the Saints on Tuesday they would likely pick him in the draft, where he eventually was taken at no.21.

A medical test followed and he was told his name would be read out that night. But it was a surprise he kept from Leeton-based parents Matt and Renee.

"I kept the surprise in it for them and said it's not for certain, but make sure you watch and something may happen," he said.

"They were able to get a shock when my name was read out."

Renee said the suspense was overwhelming.

"It was really good to do it that way (keep it a secret). Although I did get up him, I said 'you should have told me because I was so nervous beforehand," she said.

"But it was a very nice surprise.

"He just thought he'd keep going and try his hardest and see what happens. Obviously hard work pays off."

***

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: