It was a 21st birthday to remember for Jack Redpath yesterday after the Kyneton footballer was selected by the Western Bulldogs in the AFL rookie draft.Redpath, who has recovered from two left knee reconstructions, was shocked to be taken at number 62 by the Dogs.“I can’t believe it. I was sitting with my mum and she was crying. It’s a dream come true,” Redpath said. The power forward celebrated his birthday a few days early with family and friends at the weekend, between training sessions at Whitten Oval on Friday and Monday.He performed well in training and during interviews, but was unsure whether he would be chosen to be a Bulldogs rookie-listed player.“I didn’t really know because there’s a lot good players training down there,” Redpath said.“I thought it was a good opportunity, but nothing would happen, but I trained really well and I started feeling like I am good enough.”Redpath returned from injury with the Kyneton Tigers in the second half of last season and kicked 29 goals in nine games to lead the club’s goalkicking. The former Bendigo Bombers player was pleased just to be back on the footy field again and could only dream of playing at the top level.“I sort of thought I had the talent, but I thought after my second knee that it was just a bonus to be playing,” Redpath said.Redpath said he “couldn’t be happier” to be picked by the Bulldogs and was looking forward to rejoining training today after being made feel welcome at the club.Bulldogs recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple said Redpath had impressed at training and in an interview.“Jack played a little bit at Bendigo (Bombers) in the last year and a half and he came on the scene late on the recommendation of Shannon Grant, who had a bit of involvement with him at Bendigo,” Dalrymple said.“He’s a really strong individual who is really determined and we felt that at his size, he’s a powerful unit.“We see him playing as a power forward and he fits that need for us.”Redpath will join former Bendigo Bombers coach, Shannon Grant, who is now an assistant coach at Whitten Oval.Grant said Redpath “fits the mould” of a key forward which the club lacks since the retirement of powerhouse forward Barry Hall.“He’s a terrific kid, he’s probably one that floated under the radar a bit, but he’s got an enormous talent,” Grant said.Grant said Redpath’s injury-history was discussed, but the club was confident the Kyneton forward had done enough to prove his durability.Redpath has trained with Bendigo Football Club during its pre-season and with a running coach for the past 10 weeks, but acknowledged he was not as fit as his new team-mates.“I’m not up to standard yet, I haven’t done a pre-season in three years. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m ready for the challenge.”Kyneton Footall Club co-coach Derrick Filo – who is sharing the Tigers’ coaching role with former Kyneton and Hawthorn star Nathan Thompson in 2012 – said Redpath has the ability to play AFL.“The only thing that was holding him back was his injuries,” Filo said.“Even this year, after seeing him play, I knew at one stage or another he’d get drafted.“He’s as good a player as I’ve seen for a long time.”Filo said Redpath’s ascension to the AFL was a major boost for the Kyneton club and for all footballers who are outside VFL ranks.“We’re all about developing players and this shows there’s opportunity for players outside the norm,” Filo said. While Redpath and the Tigers were ecstatic about being selected in the rookie draft, several other prospects were not chosen.Those to miss out included Bendigo Bombers captain Ben Duscher, who was the Nick Carter medallist as the club’s best and fairest winner for the 2011 season.Bendigo full-forward Matt Little was another tipped to be in the running to gain another chance at an AFL club.