But as is the case each season, there are always those who rise up the pecking order as the year progresses.
One player who is certainly catching the eye of recruiters during this year's NAB AFL under 18 championships – and appears to be a first-round selection and potentially higher in the ranking – is Vic Country forward Gary Rohan.
According to Country coach Robert Hyde, formerly a Collingwood and Essendon player, there is a distinct reason why Rohan is attracting keen interest among the recruiting fraternity.
"It's because he's come out of nowhere," Hyde told afl.com.au.
"He wasn't on a list last year, and he's just one of those kids that generates [talk] because he runs, he's hard at it, and he just makes things happen.
"For him and his family, it's just fantastic. When he came in, he didn't know if he was good enough, but he's been probably close to our best player over the whole four games."
For the 18-year-old from Cobden, in Victoria's south-west dairy farming district, the journey from his local club of the same town name says the opportunity to play for the Geelong Falcons and now Vic Country has been overwhelming.
"I made Falcons and then I don't know how I made Vic Country – I didn't think I was good enough – but I've managed to hold my spot," the humble redhead told afl.com.au.
"Now it's going pretty good. There have been a lot of experiences for me, playing Falcons and Cobden."
Rohan, who said he was initially rejected by the Falcons (which is why this is his first full season in the 'system') believes he "got all of his talent" from his father, who played for the St Kilda reserves in 1985-86.
"I'd tried out for Falcons, but I was too small. Now I've built up a bit," he said.
"I wasn't going to go back, because I knew I wasn't going to make it, but Mum told me to go back and see how I'd go."
A Geelong supporter, who used to follow St Kilda when he was younger, Rohan is also a talented high jumper, having represented underage state teams. He is also a talented basketballer.
But now his focus is on football. And already he is making the sacrifices.
He makes a two-hour trek once a week, on a Thursday night, to train with the Falcons, but remains with Cobden on Tuesdays.
And now the lead-up half-forward, who possesses an outstanding vertical leap – as evidenced by a spectacular mark taken for Vic Country in a clash at Skilled Stadium earlier in the championships – is gaining momentum in his game. His footy smarts and hard running are also features of his play.
So how does he feel about being talked up as a likely first-rounder or top 10 pick?
"I don't think I'm that good. When I'm looking around the [change rooms], there are way better players than me. Everyone is doing the talking for me," Rohan said.
"I just worry about my footy – if it happens, it happens and if it doesn't, it doesn't. I'll be disappointed if I don't get drafted, but I'll still work hard and try next year.
"No one has really said anything to me, although I've had a letter from North Melbourne."
There appears little doubt that Rohan will receive more club correspondence as draft time comes closer.
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