Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Elijah Tsatas is certain to be selected in next month’s AFL draft with talent scouts rating the teenager as a potential top-five pick.
Tsatas has a combination of elite qualities and the recently-turned 18-year-old considers himself a “hybrid” on-baller.
“I’m a bit of a hybrid midfielder,” Tsatas said on SEN Breakfast.
“I can go inside and out, and I like to use my speed and kicking ability to break the game open.
“I also like to accumulate the ball a bit, so that’s a bit about me.”
The exciting talent would love to be taken first overall but understands that the top of the draft is stacked with elite prospects including Will Ashcroft, George Wardlaw, Harry Sheezel and Aaron Cadman.
“I’ve obviously always wanted to be the number one pick,” Tsatas said.
“If that comes into fruition only time will tell but there’s a lot of talented boys at the top end that I’m pretty good mates with.
“Whichever way it falls, I’m just going to be really excited to have a crack next year.”
Hailing from Melbourne and attending Wesley College, Tsatas admitted that he’d prefer to be drafted to a team in his hometown, but is certain he’ll be “all-in” wherever he goes.
“I’m definitely happy to play my footy wherever I get picked, it’s obviously a National Draft,” Tsatas said.
“I’m from Melbourne, I love Melbourne and I’d definitely prefer to stay in Melbourne.
“But wherever I get picked is where I’m going to play my footy and be all-in.”
While SEN’s Kane Cornes sees shades of Scott Pendlebury in Tsatas’ game, the prospect himself says he models himself on GWS star Josh Kelly who prides himself on using run and carry on the outside.
“I love watching Josh Kelly from the Giants,” Tsatas said.
“I’ve sort of grown up watching him, his ability to be that inside and outside player.
“That is what I’ve tried to mould my game on and also that run and carry that he gives.”
Tsatas looks destined to be selected when the first round of this year’s National Draft takes place on Monday, November 28.
The remaining selections will take place on the following day.