Carlton's first selection in the 2013 AFL National Draft is pick 13 – a number that's proven lucky for the Club before. 

GM-Football Operations Andrew McKay was himself picked up by the Blues at No.13, in the 1992 National Draft. 

McKay, a member of Carlton's Hall of Fame, went on to play 244 games for Carlton including the 1995 premiership. He captained the Club, was named All-Australian four times, and took out Carlton's Best & Fairest in 2003. 

Ahead of tonight's draft, McKay reflected on the night he was drafted. 

"I was in a wool store in Adelaide sorting wool," McKay said. 

"We sat down on the wool bales and turned the radio on to see if my named would get called out and it did.

"I lived in the country, half way between Adelaide and Melbourne, so it was exciting to be picked up by Carlton."

McKay said he expects this year's draft prospects would have spent the day feeling a little nervous and apprehensive. 

But he says for those whose names are called, there is an exciting journey ahead. 

"It's just the start; just the beginning for them," McKay said.  

"They just need to knuckle down, do the hard work, and understand that they were big fish in a little pond and now they're little fish in a big pond. 

"For those who don't get picked up tonight they shouldn't lose hope – there are other avenues to AFL, so if they're persistent they can still get there."