The question from a rival club that put St Kilda draftee on the spot

St Kilda draftee Tobie Travaglia says he was most put on the spot by a rival club during his AFL Draft interview process.

Travaglia, who spoke to every club bar Brisbane and Collingwood, would eventually be taken by the Saints with Pick 8 in Wednesday night’s first round.

What comes with the territory for a budding AFL footballer is to undergo a little bit of psychological assessment in order to give clubs a better idea of who the person behind the player is.

The Bendigo Pioneers product, who starred for Vic Country at the National Championships, says the curliest question he received came from Carlton and it involved Blues coach Michael Voss and an honesty scenario.

“I feel like through the year they weren’t too bad, but once I got to the (AFL Draft) Combine they definitely started throwing a few weird ones,” Travaglia said on SEN Breakfast.

“When I went to Carlton’s interview they said, ‘If you’re living with two mates, and you stayed home, they come home and say we got in a bit of trouble, don’t tell anyone. Then the next day if ‘Vossy’ calls you and if you don’t tell him you’re in massive trouble just as much as them. What would you do? Are you going to rat on your mates?’

“That was one that put me on the spot a bit. I said I’d be honest and tell him, I said I’ll tell Vossy.

“But I don’t know in the moment what would happen if it was actually in real life.”

From a question about Voss to playing under Ross the Boss, Travaglia insists he cannot wait to start working under his new coach Ross Lyon.

“He seems like a very nice fella,” he added.

“He’s been very nice to me, but come Monday I’m sure he’ll be as intense as ever which I cannot wait for.

“I’ll take it all in my stride and I’m keen for it.”

Psych analysis aside, Travaglia has set himself an early goal.

The dashing defender, who played junior footy at Sandhurst, says he’d love to be a 200-game champion for the Saints.

But before that he just wants to be seen as a good teammate who people can depend on.

“I just want to be a consistent player and just a competitor,” he added.

“Someone that everyone can rely on and hopefully in a few years’ time be a leader as well.

“Someone that can go into an AFL club leaving no stone unturned and really gets the best out of himself.

“200-plus (games) is definitely a goal for me.”

Travaglia has been joined at the Saints by his Pioneers teammate James Barrat who was taken with Pick 32.

Also landing at the Saints in the National Draft was Gippsland Power defender Alix Tauru (Pick 20), Claremont midfielder Hugh Boxshall (Pick 45), Sturt ruckman Alex Dodson (Pick 53) and Calder Cannons forward Patrick Said (Pick 60).