Nick O’Kearney endured a rollercoaster week in late November. The kind of week that dished out a crushing blow early on, before being smoothed over with elation as the week wound to a close.

Following an impressive season with Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup and Vic Metro at the national carnival, the inside midfielder was regarded as a very good chance to hear his name read out on draft night.

But by the time the final name came out of AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan’s mouth, O’Kearney was one of the few considered most unlucky not to find a new home. And the reality was shattering.

As an All Australian under 18, a member of the TAC Cup team of the year and a Calder Cannons’ best and fairest winner, O’Kearney’s football resume leapt off the page. Although for one reason or another, all 18 clubs weren’t convinced to take him at the National Draft.

But by the end of the week, O’Kearney’s emotions came full circle as the initial stage of his dream was realised when the Saints plucked him up with their first selection in the Rookie Draft, pick No. 5, transforming his despair into joy.

“Missing the National Draft on the Tuesday night there was obviously a lot of disappointment missing out on that night and the days after,” O’Kearney told saints.com.au.

“You sort of tip everything into your football journey building up to that moment. It was deflating.

“But to move forward to Friday to where your name gets read out by the Saints, it was a pretty big rollercoaster ride from the disappointment on the Tuesday, but I couldn’t be happier to land at the Saints on the Friday.”

In the minutes after the National Draft, as the disappointment enveloped him, O’Kearney took a reassuring call from St Kilda Recruiting and List Manager Tony Elshaug that encouraged him that his dream was still flickering and provided him with an indication the Saints were still interested in his services.

“After the draft I got a phone call from ‘Trout’ [Elshaug] and a few of the recruiters from the Saints and they were pretty keen to have a few meetings. There were a few phone calls in between Tuesday and Friday,” O’Kearney said.

“I suppose there was that little bit of indication because they were one of the clubs that were a little bit more keen.”

Now more than two months into his time at the Saints, O’Kearney has woven together an impressive maiden pre-season to give him the best opportunity of earning an appearance during the upcoming NAB Challenge series, as well as putting his name up for senior football in 2016.