CALEB Serong barely had a pre-season, gave up a promising cricket career and moved to the other side of the state.

Now, the 18-year-old is ready for his biggest test yet: playing for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Serong, a Gippsland Power prospect who has been likened to Port Adelaide star Robbie Gray, will line-up for Country in its carnival-opening clash with Vic Metro on Saturday.

On the latest Road to the Draft episode we catch up with the possible top-10 pick, and his Vic Country coach Leigh Brown, in a preview of the under-18 championships.

Join hosts Callum Twomey and Riley Beveridge on the Road to the Draft podcast, featuring discussion on the next generation of stars plus interviews with key coaches, recruiters and prospects.    

In this week's episode ...

We hear from likely first-round selection Caleb Serong, preview the under-18 championships, look over the standout performances from last weekend, chat with Vic Country coach Leigh Brown and answer all of your Twitter questions.

Episode guide

0:30 – A wrap of the weekend's action at under-18 level.
4:00 – Who were the standout players in the Allies, Vic Metro and Vic Country trials?
5:25 – Vic Country coach Leigh Brown joins the show to discuss some of his draft hopefuls.
8:45 – Brown highlights the brother of an AFL young gun who is starting to push up draft boards. 
14:20 – The high-flyer who looks set to catch the eye during the carnival for Vic Country.
17:00 – Draft prospect Caleb Serong joins the show to discuss his progress and season so far.
23:25 – Serong details the impact a Giants draftee has had on his career.
30:45 – The exciting youngster tied to Fremantle who's turning heads.
31:25 – Should draft picks traded into the future be 'protected' if a club finishes low on the ladder? The guys share their thoughts.