Infotainment Factory: How monster ban almost robbed young star of dream

If you'd asked new St Kilda recruit Arie Schoenmaker on Tuesday night if he thought he would ever get drafted, he would have somberly answered no.

The 194cm key defender was expected to be picked up in the first round of the 2023 AFL Draft on Monday night, but when Tuesday's formalities were drawing near a close, his hope had all but diminished.

He even shared an emotional moment with his mother, when Shoenmaker thought he was "just about done".

Enter St Kilda, who selected the youngster with pick 62, which would be the third-last selection of Tuesday night.

"I was just out there with my mum having a bit of a hug. I thought it was just about done then, but really thankful," Schoenmaker said on Fox Footy via a livestream from his home.

"Emotions are pretty high, I don't know how to feel. All the boys got pretty rowdy."

The 18-year-old admitted he was worried that his early season antics would cost him a shot at AFL level.

The Launceston local was handed a 10-week suspension by the Tasmanian Devils for an incident involving alcohol on a pre-season camp.

"I bought the boys some alcohol after a game when I was a leader in that team," Schoenmaker told Fox Footy in October.

"I was a second-year player and I encouraged drinking with the young boys. I just didn't use my leadership skills in a positive way."

St Kilda list manager Stephen Silvagni acknowledged the "adversity" that the Tasmanian had previously faced, but said the club is ready to welcome him into a professional environment.

"He's had some adversity early on in the year and had to go back and find some form and prove himself again, so that's a good sign," Silvagni said on Tuesday.

"With kids, you want to see how they handle adversity a little bit and it's not all smooth for a lot of kids.

"He's 18 years of age, we've given him a chance and hopefully he takes that chance, because he's got some talent."