21-year-old Tom Lee is hoping to make the most of his opportunities at AFL level.

Secured on day one of the Gillette AFL Trade Period as part of a pre-draft selection trade with GWS, Lee is originally from Western Australia, hailing from a small town called Dowerin - the same home town as AFL star Buddy Franklin.

“Growing up playing AFL footy Buddy Franklin was always the talk of the town,” Lee said.

While the Hawthorn premiership player and Lee are both tall forwards,, St Kilda’s newest recruit says he models his game on 2012 premiership player Sam Reid.

“I try and model my game a bit on Sam Reid from Sydney. I haven’t seen much of him but from what I have seen I see a few similarities in how we play.”

Lee has had plenty of time to work out what sort of football player he would like to be.

After spending a year with the Adelaide Crows in 2009, Lee returned home prematurely.  He admits the transition to AFL took some adjusting.

“When I went to Adelaide I was 17 and I was straight out of school; it was a big transition.  It was pretty much like I was straight out of a classroom into a professional environment.”

“After being delisted and returning to Claremont,it took a while to find my feet. When I figured out what I wanted I put my head down, worked myself to the bone and got myself another opportunity.”

“I think I was a bit immature and it took me a couple of years to realise how hungry I was to play AFL football and how much I really wanted it.

It took that experience in Adelaide to really get me going again.  Without that experience I wouldn’t be the person, or the footballer, I am today.”

The tall utility played  his most outstanding year in 2012, kicking 60 goals for Claremont in the WAFL, a side formerly coached by St Kilda Development Coach/Sandringham Senior Coach Simon “Macca” McPhee.

“Macca and I have a very strong relationship from when I played for Claremont in 2011.

He’s kind of the one that really got me going again and got me seeing how much I wanted to play.”

After finding his feet, Lee set about preparing for a second chance to play in the AFL.

“I told myself that if I do get another opportunity I’m going to prove that I can play AFL footy and I’m going to strive to play senior football.  I’ll put my head down and bum up and work as hard I can.”

His mature outlook has held him in high praise at the Saints, with senior coach Scott Watters lauding his effort in what he described as a “break-out year” for the “dominant forward.”

But Lee knows being recruited is only the beginning of his journey at St Kilda.

“I’m very surprised at how quickly being drafted has happened but I’m equally as excited,” Lee said.

“For now I want to hopefully put myself in good shape to have a solid preseason and I just want to play my role and play well for the Club.”