Western Bulldogs draftee Kieran Collins says the idea of being a senior footballer is starting to sink in, as he received his guernsey number and locker this week.

Collins will wear number 32 in 2016, after being recruited by the Dogs with pick 26 in the AFL National Draft.

“Just sitting at my locker and seeing the number up there, it definitely does feel real and it’s all exciting.”

Collins says the draftees have been eased into training in the last week, but have been straight into skills sessions and drills.

“The first few days have started off pretty slow, with medical screenings and getting all the checks from the physios and the doctors.

“(We) started to train on Saturday, and yesterday our first weights session and main training session and today just getting into the swing of things with the development academy.”

Collins had an unusual experience on draft night, with some confusion on draft night as to whether his name had been called out or not.

The 17-year-old said he was initially unsure if he had been drafted, but relief set in after being assured he was headed to the Bulldogs.

“It was a bit daunting, my coach came up to me and said he heard my name called up but I wasn’t sure.

“So I had to wait another five or ten minutes before I found out on the board, but it just added to the night and made it exciting.”

The local Langwarrin boy will move out of home to be closer to Whitten Oval, but says he’s relieved to be only an hours’ drive from his family.

“I’m very happy to be staying close to home and family and friends, I’m looking forward to it and just enjoying it.”