With Greater Western Sydney having access to Northern Territory players, Hampton will almost certainly figure in its plans.
One talent scout believes Hampton has the step of Andrew McLeod and the leap of Adam Goodes. He also said the 16-year-old could be the jewel in the crown of this year's talent pool.
Hampton has been on the scene for the past few seasons, having played at under-16 level as a 14-year-old.
At the moment he is schooling in Adelaide, but will represent the NT Thunder in the championships.
AFL talent and international manager Kevin Sheehan said this year's championships were a particularly exciting event with Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney set to join AFL ranks over the next two seasons.
"It just highlights the wonderful chances that players are going to get in the next six months," Sheehan told afl.com.au. "It's not just the national championships this year; it's the Greater Western Sydney opportunities.
"We've got three months of national championships coming up and you'd love to be a 16 to 18-year-old coming into the game right now, because never before have so many kids been given the chances to come into the AFL.
"Some will go to Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney, but that creates more opportunities for others and a deeper number than ever before to get listed and get this chance to play professionally."
Vic Metro's Andrew Gaff, who was in last year's squad, is another prominent player to keep an eye on. AIS-AFL Academy high performance coach Jason McCartney recently said Gaff reminds him of triple Lions premiership player Luke Power.
Gaff shone with 32 disposals against the Sydney Swans reserves earlier in the season, when representing the Academy.
Others to monitor closely include Anthony Miles (NSW/ACT), Steven May (Northern Territory), Joel Wilkinson (Queensland), Sam Day (South Australia), Josh Green (Tasmania), Luke Parker (Vic Country), Dion Prestia (Vic Metro) and Jack Darling (Western Australia).
This year, Western Bulldogs great Rohan Smith will coach NSW/ACT for the first time, with Western Australia to be headed up by former Bulldog Brad Wira.
Former Lion and Roo Matthew Armstrong will coach Tasmania and Wally Gallio has returned to coach Northern Territory, after guiding the team in the early 2000s.
Former Queensland under-16 coach David Ashkar is now guiding the under 18s.
Brenton Phillips (South Australia), Rohan Welsh (Victoria Metropolitan) and Robert Hyde (Victoria Country) are back in their respective coaching roles.
Queensland will play Tasmania in the first game of this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, followed by NSW/ACT and Northern Territory at Blacktown Oval on Saturday May 22.
A total of 20 matches will be played at this year's carnival, with the final day featuring all eight teams in a four-match header at Etihad Stadium.
The 2010 format will follow the one established in 2009. All teams will play a set fixture of five matches, including the three opponents from within their own division and two teams from the other division.
In each division all five match results and percentage will count towards the respective division one and division two titles.
Matches will be played in all states and in the Northern Territory at TIO Stadium and three matches will be played as curtain-raisers at AAMI Stadium, Subiaco Oval and the MCG.
