One of the biggest sliders of the 2023 AFL Draft, Fremantle pounced on 200cm talent Ollie Murphy with pick 41 to add further size and agility to its list.

Projected to go at pick 22 by Fox Footy, the key position player was regarded as one of the best defenders of this crop.

Murphy won Vic Metro’s MVP this year and showed plenty of growth as a defender after previously playing primarily as a key forward/ruck.

Now kitted out in purple, Murphy is coming to terms with realising his AFL dream.

“I can’t really get my head around it, it’s been a lifelong dream,” Murphy said.

“A dream since I was starting to really think about playing footy and since dad started kicking a footy with me.

“I’m excited, I’m nervous, but I just can’t wait to get stuck into it.”

Murphy’s new teammates didn’t waste any time reaching out to the draftee, with multiple messages and calls to his phone last night.

Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw, Luke Jackson and Jye Amiss were amongst the many names to make contact.

“A lot of the boys reached out which was sick!” Murphy said.

“All these boys that I’ve been watching the past few years play some really good footy are now texting me, it’s pretty cool to get that connection started and it was surreal.”

A player with a strong aerial presence, Murphy is looking to pick the brains of Fremantle defender duo Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox upon his arrival in Perth to commence pre-season training.

“I like to pride myself on one-on-one defending and taking care of another man,” Murphy said.

“(I like) coming over to intercept and using my marking and endurance and aerial competitiveness to impact the game.

“Alex Pearce – he’s a big body defender so I’ll take notes off him, ‘Coxy’ too,” Murphy said.

“Just anyone to pick their brains, I’m going in with a fresh mind so I just want to learn as much as I can to learn off everyone, doesn’t have to be a defender.

“I just want to earn the respect from my teammates, get stuck into pre-season and start training with all the boys.”

‘Best day of my life, hands down, full stop’
Draft pick 35 - Cooper Simpson
Draft pick 41 - Ollie Murphy
Draft pick 60 - Jack Delean