Club recruiters are hopeful Will Sutherland, the talented teenager debating a cricket or football future, will make his debut for Vic Metro in the national under-18 championships on Saturday.
Recruiting chiefs will descend on Punt Rd where Metro will face Country in one of the more eagerly awaited matches of the tournament.
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Industry insiders have estimated about 15 of this year's 20 top draftees will take to the field, such is the level of talent under Metro coach Martin Allison and Country's Mat Battistello.
Metro began its tournament with a crushing win over Western Australia at Domain Stadium on Sunday, while Country defeated the Allies a week earlier.
Among the Metro talent is Cameron Rayner, who impressed through the midfield and half forward against WA with 23 disposals and a goal, and ruckman Sam Hayes.
Midfielder Jack Higgins, from the Oakleigh Chargers, was best on ground with 30 disposals, nine marks, seven clearances and two goals.
Richmond's father-son hopeful Patrick Naish collected 22 touches to reinforce why he is rated highly.
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said this year's derby was loaded with talent.
"It's the cream of the crop. It's been spread far and wide in recent years. A couple of years back there was one from every state and territory in the first round (of the draft). It just varies. It's cyclical," he said.
"This game, when you have got kids like Rayner and (Luke) Davies-Uniacke, it's going to sort a few out."
Sutherland, the Australian under-19 cricket captain and son of Cricket Australia chief James, did not travel to Perth but is expected to be named on Thursday.
The Scotch College product had been expected to play in two or three of the championship games. He is seen as a key-position talent and a high draft pick but he first must make a potentially agonising call on his sporting future later in the year.
Country also boast talent recruiters believe will be high draft picks. Players of interest include left-foot midfielder Lochie O'Brien, defender/midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke and Hunter Clark, the Dandenong Stingrays half-back who hails from local club Mt Martha. This club has produced two recent No.1 draft selections - Lachie Whitfield in 2012 and Jacob Weitering in 2015.