He said for the majority of nominees, there was no way of predicting what would happen.

"It's impossible to know exactly how AFL clubs are going to approach it. There's no crystal ball. They might select players to meet special needs. They might go for the best player available, no matter what position he plays, given this is the last uncompromised draft.''

Partington said recycled players might also take selections that would normally go to youngsters.

Partington says the Rebels' best chances in the national draft on Thursday night rest with six players - Marcus Darmody (Koroit), Matt Dea (Mildura), David Astbury (Tatyoon), Josh Cowan (Daylesford),

Andrew Hooper (Golden Point) and Oliver Tate (North Ballarat Juniors).

Astbury, Cowan and Hooper attended the national draft camp in Canberra, while Darmody, Dea and Tate were invited to a state screening.

Partington said attending the camp and the screening meant AFL teams had shown interest in the boys.

He said he had spent a lot of time with the players and their parents, providing information about the draft and how to handle the expectations that went with the process. With no guarantees, it was important that everyone involved was equipped to cope with the pressures of the situation.

Each of the six Rebels has maintained his fitness over the end-of-season break in readiness for the draft.

Partington said those who missed out on being picked up in the national draft would get another opportunity to launch an AFL career via the rookie draft on Tuesday, December 15.

To be eligible for the draft, players must be 18 years old on or before April 30 next year.

Players who are not 18 before December 31 of a draft year (17.5) must be contracted for a minimum of two years.

North Ballarat Rebels selection in the national draft:

*24 Nick Suban (Fremantle)

*31 Jordan Roughead (Western Bulldogs)

*68 Tim Ruffles (Fremantle)

*72 William Young (Adelaide)