New Crow Myles Poholke says the incredible bond he shares with his brother helped him overcome tough times and pursue his AFL dream.

Poholke, the Club’s second selection at Friday night’s National Draft, was forced to grow up at a young age after losing contact with his father before he reached his teenage years.

But the difficult situation galvanised the Poholke clan rather than ripping it apart, with Myles’ older brother Leigh becoming a father figure to the family.

A talented footballer in his own right, Leigh claimed the 2014 Mornington Peninsula NFNL MVP award and won three premierships with the Sorrento Sharks in southern Victoria.

Myles, 18, said the support of his brother helped drive his footy career forward and mould him into the player and person he is today.

“I lost contact with my Dad about six years ago and, along with my stepdad Craig, my brother was able to fill that gap in my life,” Poholke said.

“He helped me develop myself as a human being but also as a footballer.

“My brother has taught me a lot about footy since I was young. I still remember him teaching me how to kick the footy out the front of my house when I was a kid! He coached me in the Under 16s at Sorrento and we won a premiership together, and I also played four games of senior footy with him.

“He’s the first person to tell me when I’m doing well or the first to tell me when I’m not doing so well.

“He’s been the biggest influence on my footy so far.”

Five Fast Facts: Myles Poholke

Poholke works alongside his brother as a landscaper, and his footy reflects his trade.

The 184cm, 82kg midfielder thrives on hard work, relishes the contest and possesses great upper-body strength. He’s an explosive athlete with natural ball-handling ability, evidenced by his top 10 ranking in the repeat sprint and clean hands tests at this year’s AFL Draft Combine.

Poholke was a co-winner of the Dandenong Stingrays’ best and fairest this year despite missing almost a third of the season. He also represented Vic Country at the Under 18 National Championships and toured with the AFL Academy squad alongside fellow Crows draftee Jordan Gallucci.

Poholke played much of his junior football as a forward, which he believes has helped hone his evolution into a well-rounded, goalkicking onballer.

“I’d describe myself as a competitive midfielder,” he said.

“I like to use my overhead marking as it’s one of my main strengths and look to catch my opponents out in that area. I feel I’ve got really good goal sense due to my days up forward as a kid.

“But I’m happy to fill any gaps that the team needs me to play.”

Cameras captured Poholke being swamped by family and friends at his home after he was chosen by Adelaide with pick No.44 on draft night.

Poholke described the moment like a dream, literally, revealing he had imagined the Crows calling his name on National Draft eve.

“It was surreal. I actually had a dream last night that I’d get drafted to the Adelaide Crows,” he said.

“I’m not sure if that was me somehow knowing what was going to happen.

“Now all my mates have been coming up to me saying ‘You’re going to be kicking it to Eddie Betts next year’.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable and I can’t wait to get started.”