Glittering grand final put Deluca in spotlight

An outstanding performance in Subiaco's WAFL grand final win over East Perth paid off for teenager Josh Deluca when Fremantle chose him with pick 68 in yesterday's national draft.

Deluca, 18, missed the under-18 titles after a mid-season ankle injury. But he starred with a 20-possession, one-goal effort in the grand final win and had family members jumping for joy when the Dockers read his name.

"It was one of the best feelings in my life. I had family and friends around and they all just started yelling and screaming," he said. "I was sitting next to my girlfriend and with family members and I was thinking that I don't have to be separated from them. I could stay home and still be able to pursue my dream.

"I had been told that if I was to get drafted it would be after pick 40, so being picked at number 68, while it wasn't expected, it was within the range I was given.

"I wasn't going in very confident. I didn't think that I was as big a chance as some of the other guys. I thought that I was a possibility but that nothing was guaranteed."

But he acknowledged having a good year despite the injury.

"I got injured after about 10 weeks of the season and that was a bit of a pain but I thought I had a consistent season - good overall," Deluca said.

The grand final win, playing alongside brother Chris, was a highlight.

"I think the grand final might have helped get me picked. That was an amazing experience in itself and is up there with getting drafted," he said.