Latrelle Sumner-Pickett's early selection on the opening night of the AFL draft could almost be destiny.

Melbourne snapped up the goalsneak from Glenelg with their first pick on Wednesday night, number 12 overall.

A chuffed Sumner-Pickett walked onto the stage at Docklands Stadium to find his cousin - and new teammate - Kysaiah Pickett presenting him a Demons guernsey.

The greeting was special moment as the Pickett cousins embraced.

Pickett, who recommitted to a lucrative new deal midway through this year until the end of the 2034 season, was also announced to the footy world with the 12th pick in the 2019 national draft.

That same pick has gravitated and cultivated a growing list of some of the AFL's most talented Aboriginal players its game has ever seen.

Cyril Rioli through Hawthorn in the 2007 draft, Shaun Burgoyne via Port Adelaide in 2000 and Gavin Wanganeen from Essendon that started way back in 1990 were all picked up at that number.

The destiny came about after Melbourne's opening of two back-to-back selections quickly slipped down from No.8 a further four places following a succession of unsuccessful bids from a number of rival clubs to lure either academy or father/son players elsewhere.

"It's just amazing how it turned out," recruiting guru Kevin Sheahan said.

This all unfolded after multiple setbacks in recent years forced Sumner-Pickett to head back to Tumby Bay in Port Lincoln to revitalise his draft hopes.

The late developer turned rising star found his way to Adelaide via Norwood at first in the under-18 level and onto Glenelg through its reserves' premiership side.

"He's the absolute bolter - can we go bigger than a bolter?" Sheahan said.

Sumner-Pickett admitted he did not expect to be the centre of attention on the back of 32 goals in 18 SANFL reserves appearances, including four goals in its grand final.

But it was an astonishing four-goal burst on his senior debut at the end of August that brought the attention to AFL recruiters.

Even heading to Melbourne on the night to be among the first-round selections was a surprise that not many expected.

"I was a late call-up," Sumner-Pickett said moments after the selection.

"I wasn't mean to say anything to my family - I, actually, had to sneak in here tonight.

"It's all a bit crazy, but it's all worked out and come to plan."

The historical nature of pick 12 was not lost on Sumner-Pickett. But not in his wildest dreams did the Ngarrindjeri 19-year-old expect to be mentioned in the same breath of the Wanganeens, the Burgoynes or the Riolis.

"Being picked at No.12 - I still can't believe it," he said.

"I initially was hoping to get picked around the 60 to 70 mark.

"So, to be picked at 12 is pretty great."

Now the Picketts can be added to the famous Indigenous football names that has extended to four AFL premierships for Uncle Byron, and cousins Marlion and Kysaiah .

The influence on his youngest Melbourne cousin has been not only instrumental but influential towards turning around Sumner-Pickett's fortunes on the field.

"I speak to him every now and then," Sumner-Pickett said.

"Well, I speak to him every day now.

"(Kozzy's) been such a big inspiration on me.

"He's been one of my role models and one of my heroes. I love him."