Western Jets have never had a player taken with the first pick in the AFL National Draft, but that could change on Friday night.
The Jets have a genuine shot at providing the No.1 prospect in the nation, with gun youngster Cameron Rayner in the mix.
Rayner is unlikely to fall below the third pick, but many experts, on phantom drafts, have him locked into the top spot.
Should he be selected with pick one, Rayner, a Hillside Sharks and Essendon Doutta Stars product, will make Jets history and head to the Brisbane Lions.
If the Lions look elsewhere, a move to Fremantle is a possibility.
Should Rayner fall out of the top two, the Melbourne-based clubs will get their chance to swoop on the local, with Carlton and North Melbourne holding picks three and four respectively.
Jets coach Torin Baker has fielded calls and had conversations with plenty of AFL recruiters.
But he is none the wiser about where Rayner could land as the draft unfolds.
“It’s really hard to know which way clubs are going to go because they like to keep their cards really close to their chest,” Baker said.
“Clearly, Cam deserves to be in that conversation.
“He’s been the early choice as the No.1, but whether that remains the same on draft night, I’m not sure.”
Baker said Rayner’s competitiveness should see him shine at AFL level.
“A club will be really happy that they get a really good player,” he said.
Shannon Grant, taken with pick three in the 1994 draft, remains the top Western Jets’ draftee.
Grant went on to play more than 300 games with Sydney and North Melbourne, claiming a Norm Smith Medal for best-on-ground in the grand final in the Kangaroos’ 1999 premiership side.
Will Hoskin-Elliott, the next earliest Jets draftee, was taken with pick four by GWS Giants in 2011.
Rayner, a powerful half forward-midfielder, has rare qualities that could see him become the No.1 pick – or make the clubs that pass on him forever rue the day.
“He’s had that X factor about him,” Baker said.
“Whether it’s been at the national championships, local grand finals or with us, it’s that ability to be a match winner and change games pretty quickly.
“He’s got some of those rare athletic qualities. He’s got the power and strength in his game – and that contested ball-winning ability.”
