He’s been an AFL player for three weeks now, but rookie Darcy MacPherson is still pinching himself at the thought of living out his lifelong football dream.

Selected at Pick No. 20 in November’s rookie draft, the Northern Knights product couldn’t hide his excitement in an interview with SUNS TV.
 
“It’s been awesome,” MacPherson said.
 
“All the players have been really welcoming, settled in with the host family really easily.
 
“Everyone here, coaching staff, have all helped me, make me feel welcome because it’s a big move from Melbourne to Queensland, moving away from family and friends.
 
“But it’s been the best thing that’s happened to me, it’s been the dream forever and yeah, I’m living it, so it’s good.”
 
The 18-year-old revealed experienced defender Nick Malceski went out of his way to make him feel welcome, while living with 2013 Ron Evans medallist Jaeger O’Meara provided tremendous insight into life as an AFL footballer.
 
“(Nick) Malceski’s a pretty good one,” he said.
 
“I went out for coffee with him and he gave me a good insight of a few things, what to expect and what to do.
 
“I lived with Jaeger O’Meara for a week so he’s helped me, just chatting at home about things that go on behind doors and that sort of stuff.
 
“But a lot of the boys have been really welcoming and everyone chips in and says their bit and helps you out.”
 
For MacPherson, he was delighted to see a familiar face greet him when he arrived in the Metricon Stadium change rooms for the first time.
 
Brayden Fiorini, selected by the SUNS with Pick No. 16 in the National Draft, has been alongside MacPherson every step of his footballing odyssey and now the pair continues their journey together at the elite level in southeast Queensland.
 
“Yeah Brayds (Brayden Fiorini) and me go way back down in Melbourne,” he said.
 
“We used to be next-door neighbours. We had the same fence.
 
“High school, St Helena, we used to go to the same high school through year seven to 12 and then we used to play at Northern Knights together, so we’ve been together the whole journey.
 
“So it’s been good we’ve both landed up here and it’s been awesome.”
 
The 177cm midfielder was keen to impress the coaches with hard work on the training track in hope of cracking through for a senior opportunity in 2016.
 
“Just train hard and do the best I can to try get a game in the seniors,” he said.
 
“So just impress the coaches, do everything right, play good NEAFL footy and then go from there and hopefully the opportunity will come.”