COLM Begley's devastation quickly became determination after the Brisbane Lions told him of his AFL delisting.

Once the running defender had spoken to his family back in Ireland, the 22-year-old craved one last chance at a senior football career in Australia.

Begley was among only four delisted players to find new homes in the national draft on Saturday, with St Kilda using its sixth pick — and the last of the draft — to secure him.

He had spent a fortnight training at Collingwood before the Saints pounced.

"When Brisbane told me I was delisted, I didn't say 'stuff it', but I was pretty heartbroken," Begley said.

"I really enjoyed it up in Brisbane … but it was a real downer after what I've done in the last three years. I settled after a few days, talked to my family, refocused and thought: 'No, I can still do this'."

The Lions recruited Begley from Ireland in 2005 and he made his AFL debut the following season.

He managed 29 games, but only eight this year because of injury.

He could not bear to watch the draft, but when some of his mates started singing the St Kilda theme song, he knew a club had shown faith in him.

"I'm delighted, really pleased — especially with a good club like St Kilda," he said.

"The day of the draft I didn't want to watch the thing, I was a bit nervous.

"I was staying at a house with a few of the boys and they were watching it on the laptop — I was upstairs and I heard 'Oh when the Saints…', so I thought it should be good news."

Begley said coach Ross Lyon had already spoken to him about what role he might play with the Saints.

"They've picked me, so it's up to me to perform," he said.

Begley said the support from family and friends back in Ireland was crucial in his decision to seek another AFL home.

But he joked his two brothers and friends had ulterior motives, given his ongoing presence in Australia means a spare bed for them when they visit.

Begley was one of six national draftees whom the Saints presented to the media yesterday.

The other five are all teenagers — local key-position player Tom Lynch, their first pick at No. 13; South Australians Rhys Stanley and Paul Cahill; Gippsland's Nick Heyne and Alistair Smith from Perth.

AAP