RECRUITERS are raving about Tarryn Thomas being Tasmania's best footballing export in more than a decade, but the teenager is taking the hype in his stride.
Fresh from winning the Harrison Medal as the best player in the under-18 Academy series, the classy midfielder will next month play for the Allies at the division national carnival.
Thomas is eligible to join North Melbourne at this year's NAB AFL Draft through its Next Generation Academy, and rivals expect the Roos to have to match a bid inside the top 10 for him. Some scouts have him ranked as a top-three pick.
The 18-year-old watched on as the Roos beat Greater Western Sydney in Hobart last Saturday and told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast the club had welcomed him into the fold since he joined their Academy.
TASSIE TALENT: Tarryn the tip of the draft iceberg
"It started three years ago and when I'm over in Melbourne I can train with them or hang out with them. When they play in Tasmania they get me tickets and I can get into the change rooms and see how they go about their business," Thomas said.
"They're actually going all right and I'm liking how they play. When I go into the rooms it's an unreal feeling being around the boys with their intensity and how they talk as they get ready."
Thomas capped a brilliant Academy series with a five-goal haul in the final round of the carnival earlier this month, which included a three-goal patch in minutes.
Gold Coast's Kade Kolodjashnij was the last Tasmanian to be taken in the top 10, when he was drafted at pick No.5 in 2013, while star Richmond goalkicker Jack Riewoldt was picked at No.13 in 2006.
Thomas has grown to stand at 189cm and can play as a midfielder, a half-forward or even as a running option across half-back. Thomas grew up in NSW before moving to Tasmania and said Kangaroo Jed Anderson had taken him under his wing during his time with the Roos.
Thomas looks set to be the first player from a club's NGA to attract a first-round bid from a rival club, but says he isn't concentrated solely on becoming a Roo.
"Yeah I wouldn't mind it [going to North Melbourne]. I don't mind who I go to, I just hope I get picked up," he said.
"I don't think about it too much, hopefully I can just play good footy. That's what I'm worried about. I just take it as it comes."
Road to the Draft podcast
Tasmanian gun draft pick Tarryn Thomas joins Cal Twomey and Mitch Cleary. What will the Saints do with their first pick? And the Straw Poll returns as the guys quiz five recruiters on the best key position prospects:
