AFL draft gets X-rated with Gold Coast player Leo Lombard forgetting his place

The AFL draft became a little X-rated on Wednesday night after Gold Coast Academy player Leo Lombard had his name called out.

St Kilda actually made a bid for Lombard with their Pick 9, but the Suns were quick to match that, desperate to secure the speedy 179cm midfielder and crafty goalkicker.

After Lombard was a confirmed Suns player, he then spoke to Fox Footy interviewer and former Hawthorn star Ben Dixon.

Lombard was presented with his jumper by Gold Coast’s Jake Rogers, who was drafted last year by the Suns and is also out of their Academy. He’s also Lombard’s good mate.

Lombard — who has been in the Suns Academy since he was 12 — told Dixon it was really special to get his jumper from his best friend.

“I’ve always looked up to him and he’s pretty much my bigger brother,” he said.

Lombard also thanked Gold Coast, saying “they have looked after me on and off the field, and it holds a special place (in my heart) for sure”.

He then mentioned his family, who were there, and his girlfriend, but that’s when things went pear shaped.

“Congratulate Leo ... you’re a Sun,” Dixon said with the excitable Lombard suddenly forgetting where he was.

“F*** yeah,” was his response, shocking himself and the hosts.

“Ooopsie Leo ... very excited,” said Fox commentator Sarah Jones.

With former St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna quickly adding: We’ll give him a pass. He’ll learn from that one.”

Lombard racked up several awards this year, including the Larke Medal as the best and fairest player in Under-18 National Championships.

He was selected in the Under-18 All Australian team, named the Allies MVP, and was also won the Suns’ Male Academy Player of the Year.

He has played 11 VFL matches for the Suns across two years, and featured in that team’s flag-winning line-up in 2023 when he was just 16.

Gold Coast recruiting manager Kall Burns said the club was thrilled to officially welcome Lombard as an AFL-listed player.

“It’s an amazing achievement for Leo and he should be extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication he has put in to achieve his goal of reaching the AFL,” Burns said.

“It’s also a testament to everything the Academy and junior football on the Gold Coast has done to get Leo to this point, and it’s rewarding for all involved to have another graduate join the club’s AFL list.

“We look forward to Leo commencing his first official pre-season under Damien Hardwick starting on Monday.”

The Suns will go into the second night of the draft with selections 57, 89 and 95.