Geelong’s best-kept secret of the National AFL Draft was its decision to select exciting young South Australian Andrew Mackie, although the Cats were not the only one looking to snare the talented, athletic utility.

Although many believed Mackie, 18, was a smoky of the draft, he was quietly being sought after by many clubs, including the Western Bulldogs and West Coast, but was pounced on by Geelong at No. 7 in the draft.

Mackie knew he was quickly climbing the rankings after several clubs were trying to keep a lid on him. The Glenelg youngster was the standout performer at the South Australian state-based screening sessions.

“I tried to keep it pretty quiet and not tell many people, but I didn’t really know (what was going to happen) and two months before the draft it all starting rolling,” Mackie said.

“I didn’t have the pressures that some of the others would’ve had and I started growing (in the rankings).

“I thought ‘What’s going on’ and at first I didn’t even know and then you think if you do go, then at what number and then to go to Geelong at No. 7 is just great.”

When asked why his rating lifted considerably in the weeks leading up to November's draft, Mackie said: “I think a few clubs tried to hide me a bit, thinking because I wasn’t in the state school (football) system.

“When a few (clubs) found out, they started talking generally about it and they tried to hide it.

“My performances weren’t too bad at the screening session for a tall bloke, so it came from there.”

But did Mackie think Geelong would be the club to take him at the draft?

“I didn’t think they were," Mackie said. "They didn’t say much and didn’t guarantee anything, but it’s turned out real well and I’m really happy now.”

Now that he is with the Cats, Mackie is looking to crack a senior berth in 2003 and would like to play as a winger, half-back or half-forward.

“I’d like to make a debut and if I do get a game, play well and stay there, but I don’t know whether that’s going happen, so we’ll see what happens,” Mackie said.