For the first time in a long time, there are very differing views on who will be the number one pick on the Gold Coast on Thursday night.

AFL Victoria and North Ballarat Rebels talent manager Phil Partington said this was one of the hardest drafts to read, making a very nervous wait for this region’s hopefuls.

“The first couple of picks will determine where the draft goes,” Partington said.

“It makes it hard for (AFL) clubs in planning too – a club like Port Adelaide has to wait until pick 57 for their first selection, so they are unsure what talent might still be available.

“This will be very much a needs-based draft.”

For the first time in four years, pick one will not go to the Giants – St Kilda gets the honour.

Fairfax Media draft expert Emma Quayle writes that midfielder Christian Petracca is the Saints likely choice but Angus Brayshaw and Paddy McCartin also loom as strong contenders.

Partington said through most of the season, all the talk had been about Calder Cannons’ tall forward Peter Wright.

Now draft experts are unsure when Wright’s name might be called.

The Rebels had six players invited to testing in October.

Oscar McDonald (Edenhope-Apsley), Rowan Marshall (Portland) and Dan Butler (Lake Wendouree) attended AFL national combine while Jesse Palmer (Swan Hill), Tom Templeton (Portland) and Sam Bennett (North Ballarat City) attended the one-day state combine.

This means AFL clubs have shown interest in these players but with so many players invited and interviews with club staff often lasting to the final minutes before draft time, there were never any guarantees.

Partington expected the market to be extremely even after the first 15 or so picks.

New South Wales Academy players and rookie upgrades will eat into most late selections.

There is another chance for hopefuls to join an AFL

club via the December 3 rookie draft.

• The Courier has profiled six Rebels who attended AFL Combine testing.

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au