IT WASN'T so long ago last year’s top two draft picks were running around with a Vic Metro jumper on.

Fast forward 12 months and Matthew Kreuzer and Trent Cotchin are quickly becoming household names at AFL level, having earned NAB Rising Star nominations in their debut seasons.

But Kreuzer, Carlton’s emerging ruckman, and budding Richmond midfielder Cotchin, admitted it can be tough dealing with the expectation that goes with being a highly-touted draft pick while still only playing junior football.

Kreuzer, who went to the Blues as the No. 1 selection, said all he could do to hose down the speculation was what he does best – win the footy.

"When it was happening last year I just tried to not focus [on] it and concentrate on playing footy each week and try to get a kick," he said.

"There was nothing I could do to control it, so you’ve just got to accept it."

He added that he did feel for this year’s crop – including players such as Jack Watts and Nick Naitanui – who are constantly being linked to the top pick.

"It’s hard because obviously they just want to go out and play their best footy and try to get drafted at the end of the day," Kreuzer said.

"But probably they do feel a little bit of pressure just because everybody’s talking about the hype.

"You sort of think to yourself, ‘Oh, I have to play well, I have to play well and put that extra pressure on yourself, so it is a bit hard for them."

Cotchin, a former Vic Metro and Northern Knights teammate of Kreuzer, said last year’s under-18 championships had given him a greater appreciation of the need to make the most of his time at the top level.

Like Kreuzer, the young Tiger said he too felt for the players who on Wednesday showed their wares in front of every AFL club.

"There’s definitely pressure I think for every player who is in the carnival … they just want to perform and show their best footy to the people who are watching and are going to select them in November," Cotchin said.

"There’s definitely a lot of pressure … you try not to focus on what the papers are saying and stuff like that and just play your best footy."