'Best ever': AFL world loses the plot over draftee's interview

There were plenty of winners on Wednesday night as some of the best young AFL talents across the country celebrated their step up to the big time.

As predicted, Jason Horne-Francis was taken as the No.1 AFL draft pick, with the South Australian presented with his North Melbourne jumper by Kangaroos legend Malcolm Blight.

But it was another youngster who stole the show with one of the best draft reactions that AFL fans have ever seen.

'IN TROUBLE': AFL's new warning over 'unacceptable' situation

'TIME WILL TELL': Collingwood's big Jordan De Goey admission

'VERY PROUD': Dani Laidley's shock return in 'significant' AFL milestone

The first round was held virtually on Wednesday night, with many of the players appearing via video link to share their thoughts on the biggest moment of their fledgling careers.

When it was announced that the Brisbane Lions had taken Darcy Wilmot with pick 16, the cameras cut to shots of the absolutely wild celebrations going on at the youngster's house.

Upon learning that he'd been drafted to the Lions, Wilmot was mobbed by a huge group of mates, who proceeded to jump on top of him in a chaotic game of 'stacks-on'.

Fox Footy asked Wilmot how he was feeling after the wild moment, with the young defender's refreshing interview taking social media by storm.

“Couple of bruises and knocks but I’m going good,” he said. “(I’m) bloody excited.

“Just my best footy I’ll bring, hard work and determination. Everything I’ve got in me, I’ll bring it to the AFL.”

Fox Footy commentator Brad Johnson joked: “Darcy, if you play Round 1 next year I reckon you’re going to have to ask the club for about 50 tickets going on what we just saw then".

Wilmot's response about how he intended to celebrate the occasion left fans in stitches, with the youngster saying: “Couple more Pepsi Max.

“Just having a couple with the boys and the family and stuff. That’s about it.”

The interview was a hit on social media as current players joined fans in hailing the youngster's down-to-earth reaction.

North Melbourne take top pick Jason Horne-Francis

The Kangaroos held the top pick for the first time in an AFL national draft and used it to select Horne-Francis, rather than bid on highly rated father-son prospects Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy.

Although he was a certainty to be selected by North, Horne-Francis did not instantly have the news relayed to him.

"It was a bit weird, we couldn't see much and luckily my manager hooked us up with his phone," he told Fox Footy.

"Definitely a lot of excitement. I can't wait to get into things with the North Melbourne footy club.

"I think North are on the right direction, they've got a lot of young talented midfielders and I think I can learn a lot off players at the club."

Horne-Francis looks ready to step straight into North Melbourne's best team under David Noble next year, after playing two seasons of senior football with SANFL club South Adelaide.

There was early drama on draft night when the Kangaroos' first selection was delayed by two live trades as the Western Bulldogs acquired more draft points to match a bid for father-son prospect Sam Darcy.

It came from GWS at pick two and the Dogs wasted no time matching it to secure the 205cm ruck-forward.

The Giants instead gained midfielder Finn Callaghan at pick three before Gold Coast's bid on Collingwood father-son prospect Nick Daicos at pick four was immediately matched by the Magpies.

The Suns then landed athletic ruck-forward Mac Andrew, who had been part of Melbourne's Next Generation Academy.

The Demons were unable to take Andrew from the Suns because of new rules that prevent clubs matching bids for NGA players inside the top 20.

Fremantle were the only club with two top-10 selections and used them on a pair of local Western Australian products, snapping up key forward Jye Amiss and midfielder Neil Erasmus.

St Kilda used pick 11 on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera - rated the best kick in the draft - while GWS sprung a surprise by selecting draft bolter Leek Alleer at pick 15.

The remainder of the national draft will be held on Thursday night, starting with the Dockers' third selection at pick 21 overall.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.