Shattered at being overlooked in the National Draft last week, Crows rookie Keenan Ramsey responded the only way he knows how – by working harder.

Ramsey, 18, was a surprise non-selection at the national meet on the Gold Coast last week.

A member of South Australia’s Under-18 National Championship-winning team, Ramsey earned an invite to the Draft Combine, where recorded a perfect score in the goalkicking test. But when the final pick was called on Thursday night, Ramsey’s name was still on the board.

“It was very disappointing to be overlooked (in the National Draft) and definitely a bit of a shock,” Ramsey told afc.com.au.

“I thought going to the Draft Combine meant my chances of being picked up in the National Draft were higher, but it didn’t unfold that way. So, I went back out to training with the Magpies on Monday night and worked hard.

“I thought my form over the course of the season was pretty consistent. I showed I could play at both ends of the ground by playing up forward at Port Adelaide and in defence for South Australia.

“I knew that if I was given the opportunity in the rookie draft, I would take it with both hands and really strive to get myself onto the main list.”

The Crows were prepared to pick Ramsey in the National Draft, but ran out of picks before arriving at his name on their list.

Recruiters Hamish Ogilvie and Phil Bunn contacted the versatile teenager to provide reassurance in the lead-up to the Rookie Draft. And on Wednesday, the pair was rapt to get its man at pick No.27.

“I spoke to Hamish (Ogilvie) and Phil (Bunn) and they said, ‘You’ll get your chance and, hopefully, that will be at the Crows’. Luckily enough, it is. I’m ecstatic,” Ramsey said.

“I was disappointed a few days ago, but that’s just how it’s happened and it’s happened for a reason because I’ve ended up at a great football club.”

Ramsey, who followed the draft online with his mum, brother and a close mate, said he was thrilled to be joining the Adelaide Football Club, despite previously being a Port Adelaide fan.

“I’m absolutely stoked. Mum was jubilant and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face,” he said.

“Everyone is just very happy for me. I’ve been getting phone calls from everyone back in Port Lincoln. There are a fair few Crows supporters over there and they’re rapt. All my family are based in South Australia. Port Lincoln is only a 30-minute flight over for Mum and Dad, so they’re thrilled I’m staying in Adelaide.

“I was a Port man, but now I’m a Crows man. I’m sure the family will come to terms with that and change over pretty quick.”

Ramsey has had more challenges than most in his journey to the AFL.

He was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina) when he was two-years-old, and was forced to undergo surgery to remove the eye, which was replaced by a prosthetic.

Although it doesn’t affect his football, it didn’t stop recruiters and journalists asking questions.

“I’ve been asked about my eye a fair few times,” he said with a smile.

“Everyone’s interested because it’s a bit different, but to me it isn’t – I haven’t known any different. At every level I’ve played at, I’ve adapted and played really good football and I don’t think that will be any different at AFL level.

“I’ve trained at the Port Magpies with Power-listed players. I’ve played scratch matches against them and gone well. It’s not an issue at all.”

A highlight of Ramsey’s season was his role on would-be No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin.

Ramsey held McCartin to two goals – one from a free kick given away by a teammate and one in the final three minutes of the game – in the match between SA and Vic Country at the National Championships.

McCartin, who joined St Kilda in the national meet, praised Ramsey’s ability to read the play, and his leadership and direction.  

“It was a great battle with Paddy over at Simonds Stadium,” Ramsey said.

“I was pretty happy with how I went. For Paddy to then go at No.1 was a huge feather in my cap because I knew I could play well on the best talent of our age.”

Ramsey already knows Adelaide draftee Harrison Wigg, who he played alongside at the Under-18 National Championships. He also met midfielder Jarryd Lyons through a friend at a cricket game the night prior to the Rookie Draft.

Ramsey is looking forward to meeting the rest of his new Crows teammates, including fellow Port Lincoln product Eddie Betts.

“It’ll be good to meet Eddie. There have been a lot of AFL players come from Lincoln and, especially, the Indigenous boys like Graham Johncock and the Burgoyne boys,” he said.

“Hopefully, I can head home for the NAB Challenge. That would be a really good feeling.”