CHARLIE Spargo's long season of travel, football and everything in between is about to finish, but the talented midfielder has one last game left in him.

The Murray Bushrangers prospect, who already shapes as one of the top players in next year's draft pool, will play in the NAB All Stars Under-17s match on Saturday morning.

The clash has been shifted from the MCG to Punt Road Oval due to weather concerns but the excitement remains for Spargo as recruiters begin to hone in on next year's crop.

Spargo has played this year for the Allies in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, for the NAB AFL Academy and the Giants' NEAFL side, at school level in Melbourne and last week represented the Bushrangers in their TAC Cup Grand Final. He's ready for the next – and last – challenge of 2016.

"I pulled up pretty sore from Sunday. I've played a lot of games and it's been a long year, but I'm pretty good to go. I did a bit of extra recovery and haven't trained as much as some of the other boys leading into the game," Spargo told AFL.com.au.

"It's pretty exciting to be picked amongst the highest group of our players in our age group. A lot of them I haven't met or played against, so to test myself against the best players in the country is exciting."

Spargo will play for the under-17s side named after dual Brownlow medallist and former great Chris Judd, which will be coached by outgoing academy head coach Brenton Sanderson.

The squad was due to hear from Judd on Thursday before his wife Bec went into labor and gave birth to twin boys, so this year's Brownlow Medal winner Patrick Dangerfield filled the breach to address the group.

The Geelong superstar told the draft hopefuls to enjoy their under-18 season next year, even if the pressure and expectations will lift.

"It was pretty timely to have him speak to us. He just said the next couple of years are really important but to put yourself out there as much as you can and be honest and open with people," Spargo said.

"There's a lot of pressure we're going to deal with next year as most of us will be finishing year 12, and there's the external pressure of your family and friends and school mates expecting you to do well. He just said you have to enjoy it and take it in your stride."



Spargo has been given that advice from close quarters, too. His father, Paul, played 81 games for the Roos between 1985-92, before one season with the Brisbane Bears in 1993.

"Dad has never wanted to pressure me into anything footy-wise. He said not to worry about making teams or impressing recruiters, it's all about enjoying your footy while you're young and you can," he said.

Charlie is a North Melbourne fan, but it's Greater Western Sydney who will have first rights on the clever and prolific small on-baller next year as a member of the Giants academy.

He played two games for the club's NEAFL team this year and found the pace and intensity of the game lift from what he was used to, but left the contests with confidence he will be able to match it at the top level.

"The Giants academy and whole New South Wales program has been really good," he said.

"I go up to Sydney probably three or four times a year, whether it's playing NEAFL or with the academy. They've really helped with our development."

AFL.com.au will live stream the game from Punt Road Oval from 10.30am AEDT.