THIS Saturday's clash between Brisbane and Carlton could decide the wooden spoon, and leading No.1 pick contenders Sam Walsh and Jack Lukosius admit they're starting to follow the happenings near the bottom of the ladder.
The Lions' win over Fremantle on Sunday saw them go one game clear of Carlton in 17th position, with Chris Fagan's side also 20 per cent better off than the bottom-placed Blues.
If Brisbane wins in this weekend's clash at the Gabba, it would leave the Blues at short odds to take home their fifth wooden spoon since 2002, with Lukosius and Walsh the leading contenders to be the top choice.
Walsh is considered the best midfielder in this year's NAB AFL Draft pool and had an outstanding under-18 championships for Vic Country, winning the side's most valuable player award.
The Geelong Falcons co-captain, who turned 18 on Monday, is an avid Lions fan and said he has started to think more about where he will be taken at November's draft.
"I love my AFL footy and follow it very hard, so it is funny watching it thinking it could potentially determine your future. But I'm just worrying about my footy at the moment and when it comes later on in the year I'll deal with," Walsh told AFL.com.au.
"It's pretty hyped up now with the nationals on. But you just have to keep going on with your business and not getting carried away with what you hear or don't hear."
Lukosius gathered 18 disposals in South Australia's win over the Allies last Friday at GMHB Stadium, playing a variety of roles, including in attack, on the wing and occasionally across half-back.
Jack Lukosius is another chance to be the top draft pick. Picture: AFL Photos
He has had an exciting season playing at senior level in the SANFL and proven to be a regular goalkicker, and has been in the No.1 frame since last year. The key forward remains laid back about where his football will take him but says he is following the results at the top level with his future in mind.
"It comes across the mind but I'm not taking it too seriously. I know there's lots of other really good players in this draft and I know them all personally, and anything can happen over the next few months. I keep an eye on it, but it's not the be-all and end-all," Lukosius said.
"The season's progressed a bit quicker than I thought, but I'm pretty open to whatever will happen and just hope I can get an opportunity somewhere."
Walsh averaged 29.5 disposals across four games at the championships, winning plenty of the ball at stoppages and showing some outside dash as well. His consistency and composure make him a standout, while clubs view him as a future AFL captain.
Carlton shapes as a keen suitor should it end up with the top choice given its reliance on Patrick Cripps in the midfield, and Walsh is determined to go as early in the draft as possible.
"That's always been my mindset this year, to go as high as I can and to keep developing my game as a footballer and not resting on a good game. I think that'll hold me in good stead and whatever happens, happens," he said.
Lukosius, too, has dealt with a growing hype that comes with being a highly-rated youngster. On Wednesday, he will line-up for his state against Vic Metro at Etihad Stadium in the game that will decide the division one title and he knows each strong performance carries weight.
"I want to play as well as I can. Nobody likes playing average footy, so I've worked myself hard at training to be the best footballer I can be and how I go with that will probably see where I end up going [in the draft]. It's a really exciting time," he said.
