New Crow Archie Ludowyke had begun to wonder whether his dream of being selected in the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft would ever come true.

As the second night stretched on, Ludowyke sensed his opportunity drifting.

So-much-so when the Adelaide Football Club read out his name at Pick No.50 on Thursday night, he wasn’t even in the room with family and friends to see it.

“I was in my room when my name got called out because I didn’t think it would happen tonight,” Ludowyke said on the AFL’s Draft Night Live.

“I was texting my mate Kai Fincher, who just got picked up as well, I was just trying to calm the nerves a bit, but it wasn’t really working.

“Then I just heard everyone start cheering downstairs.

“I didn’t know if it was (for) me or my best mate, but I came downstairs and it was pretty special.”

Upon realising he had landed at the Crows, Ludowyke, a forward from Sandringham known for his aerial ability and vertical leap, said he couldn’t contain his emotions.

“It was unreal, I can’t even describe it,” Ludowyke said.

“It was just the best feeling ever - the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Crows National Recruiting Manager Hamish Ogilvie said his team rated Ludowyke highly and jumped at the chance to secure him late.

“We just couldn’t not take him, we had to… we rated him so highly,” Ogilvie said.

“197cm tall, natural forward craft, lightly framed but wide shoulders - a great frame to develop. 

“He’s got proven experience against VFL opposition earlier this year, he’s played for Vic Metro’s under-16 side, under-18 side, has been named in the under-16 All Australian side… the list goes on.”

“He’s a really good kid and his teammates are going to love him.”

Ludowyke joins Mitch Marsh at the Club, who was selected with Pick 22 on Wednesday night.

Adelaide will now turn its attention to the Pre-season Draft and Rookie Draft on Friday.