West Coast’s first selection in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, Daniel Venables, says he can’t wait to arrive in Perth and start earning the respect of his new teammates.

The 18-year-old Western Jets midfielder said he was still coming to terms with being the club’s first pick at the national ballot.

“We were all in shock, I guess,” Venables admitted.

“I didn’t really expect my name to get called out so early. I honestly had no idea that the Eagles were going to pick me. I know I met them a couple of times throughout the year, but I had no idea. I’m absolutely stoked to become a West Coast player.”

Venables earned All-Australian selection after a standout under-18 National Championships and was touted as a potential top-10 pick before he suffered a minor foot injury that kept him from testing at the NAB AFL Combine.

The Keilor product said he enjoyed the physicality of the contest and wasn’t afraid to take the game on if needs be.

He was eager to hit the training track with his new teammates, particularly midfielders Matt Priddis, Sam Mitchell, Andrew Gaff and Luke Shuey, who many experts have compared him to.

“I’m absolutely stoked to be teammates with players of their calibre,” Venables said.

“I get to learn so much and just absorb all their knowledge…just by training and being around them.

“I think if I’m half the player that Luke is then I’ll be pretty happy with that. He’s a gun. If I can learn a few things off him and take in everything he says then that’d be amazing.”