SOUTH Australian teenager Christian Howard admits he was as shocked as anyone when the Western Bulldogs dropped the first bombshell of the 2009 NAB AFL Draft, calling his name with pick No.15.

Howard, 18, was overlooked for the SA U18 state team and didn’t attract enough interest to attend the Adelaide-based screening session, let alone the NAB AFL Draft Camp in Canberra.

But a flurry of strong performances for the Glenelg U18s late in the season, including two finals, saw him jump from a potential third-round pick to a first-rounder.

Howard watched Thursday night’s draft count from the comfort of his grandparents’ lounge room and sat dumbfounded in front of the TV screen when the Doggies selected him with their first pick.

“I think most of the country was pretty surprised I went at pick No.15,” Howard told afl.com.au.

“I just sat there in disbelief for about five minutes. I couldn’t move. My family was going nuts and I just couldn’t believe it.

“My manager (Justin Reid from Elite Sports Properties) said the first round was a possibility, but not to get my hopes up. I didn’t think it would actually happen.

“I just want to get over to Melbourne already and start training. I need to do something because I can’t sit down.”

The dashing half-back was Glenelg’s designated kicker in the U18 competition.

His left-foot kicking was so precise he drew comparisons with Hawthorn Norm Smith Medallist Luke Hodge.

Howard received calls from as many as seven clubs in the weeks leading into the draft, including the team he supported as a kid, Adelaide.

He said he was thrilled to end up at a Melbourne-based club.

“I didn’t think pick No.15 was a possibility and the Crows had another pick before the Bulldogs in the second round, so I thought I might be a chance to end up in Adelaide,” he said.

“But I really wanted to get over to Melbourne anyway. I’m stoked to be going there. It’s the home of football and the whole experience is just going to be amazing."

Howard, who didn’t even float the idea of being drafted until two months ago, said he would keep his phone close by on Thursday night and await instructions from his new club.

“I still just can’t believe it.”