Even though he is already running around wearing a red and white training top, Tom Mitchell is still looking forward to tonight’s national draft when he will officially become a Sydney Swan.

Mitchell arrived at the club a week ago from Perth, just after he’d finished his Year 12 exams, and he hit the training track the very next morning.

As a Swans’ father-son selection, he had the benefit of knowing where he was going before the draft.

But tonight, when the AFL national draft is held in the Sydney suburb of Homebush, Tom will be there watching on as his name is read out with the Swans’ first pick, selection number 21.

“I think it will be pretty exciting, it is not a reality until your name is called out, so there’s still excitement for me,’’ Mitchell said.

Mitchell will also be hoping that some of his mates get drafted to AFL clubs too, including Toby Greene, who he played with in Victoria until Under 15s. “He should be right up there near the top 10,’’ Mitchell said.

Mitchell’s family moved to Perth when he was 15, as his father Barry got as job as an assistant coach with Fremantle. Tom played state football for WA, so is also hoping a few WA boys’ names get called out tonight.

Tom has settled in well during the past week, after he was greeted at Sydney Airport by his new house-mates, Luke Parker and Jarred Moore. “They held up a sign with my name on it and I wasn’t too happy about that!

“It is really good to be here at the Swans after finishing school and coming straight over. It was all a bit of a rush, I finished school on the Tuesday and I got on a plane the next morning and straight into training the next day.’’

There was no schoolies for Tom, and that’s the way he wanted it.

“It was good to get an early start with a few of the other young boys and start pre-season,’’ he said.

“So far I’ve done a week of training, mainly conditioning. I’ve been easing in, doing everything except the running so far. Obviously the season is a long way away so I’m just getting a good fitness base on the bike and swimming and doing weights.’’

Mitchell spent time at the Club during pre-season in 2009 and 2010, but is now starting to feel like he really belongs.

“The main difference is I feel a bit more involved and have my individualised programs set out and it is good to be around the club 24/7 and get to know everyone really well.’’