The AFL’s draft night on Wednesday got off to an eyebrow raising start when Richmond named their No.1 pick.
As widely tipped, the honour went to 188cm midfielder Sam Lalor.
Lalor, from Bacchus Marsh, was captain of Vic Country and — due to his ferocious fend-offs and goalkicking ability — had regularly been compared to retired Tigers champion Dustin Martin.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
He also wears the same number as Martin’s famous (and now vacant) No.4.
Many reporters, including AFL Media, had thought Martin would be on hand to present the jumper to Lalor when Lalor took the stage … however, it didn’t happen.
Martin — who had appeared earlier on a Fox Footy promo — was surprisingly nowhere to be seen.
Instead, former Richmond captain Trent Cotchin walked out and congratulated the excited player.
Lalor is Richmond’s first No.1 pick since Brett Deledio in 2004.
Before being drafted, Lalor said he had attributes similar Jordan De Goey (while admitting he was a Collingwood fan) and Martin.
“(They’re) two players I’ve watched. They’re big midfielders and can go forward as well,” he said.
Richmond rolled the dice on Lalor did despite the fact he had an injury-interrupted season this year, and battled through groin and later hamstring issues.
“I’m a pretty good size for a midfielder, and I’ve got the ability to go forward and impact the scoreboard.”
Lalor also has good football pedigree.
His grandfather, Ray, played a handful of games for Essendon and he is related to Geelong 136-gamer John O’Neill, who retired at the end of 1962.
After Lalor, North Melbourne then took Oakleigh Chargers star Finn O’Sullivan with the second pick, and then Carlton snapped up another Chargers player, Jagga Smith, with Pick 3.
Adelaide called out highly rated local product Sid Draper with Pick 4, and then Brisbane were forced to match a bid from Melbourne on father-son gun Levi Ashcroft with Pick 5.
In what is certain to become a major talking point, the Lions handed over picks 40, 42, 43 and 46 to match the Demons bid.
Immediately, social media lit up, with many wondering how the team that just won the grand final secured arguably the best player in the draft pool with a handful of very average draft picks.
Melbourne then took Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays – Pick 6), Richmond then took Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges), St Kilda took Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers), Gold Coast (matching a bid from St Kilda) took Leo Lombard (Broadbeach), and the Saints rounded out the top 10 with Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power).
More to come ….