The 18-year-old Launceston College year 12 student was coming to terms with his AFL All-Australian under-18 selection yesterday and pondering whether it might help him achieve that goal.

Thurlow was named on the interchange bench in the AFL All-Australian under-18 team after consistently good performances for the Tassie Mariners in their national championship games.

He was named Tasmania's most valuable player of the series.

He found out the next day via the AFL website of his All-Australian selection.

``It's unbelievable and it's still sort of sinking in at the moment,'' Thurlow said.

``I was surprised by my Tassie MVP.

`` Then the next day I was on the AFL website just looking at some stories and my dad rang me and asked me if I had seen the All-Australian side.

``We went out for tea as a bit of a family celebration that night.''

Thurlow said he thought he played some good games for the Mariners across half-back with an occasional foray forward.

He was unsure whether his All-Australian selection would help his chances of being drafted at the end of the year.

He said he had received a few calls but no serious interest yet from AFL clubs.

``I haven't really thought about it and that far ahead - I'm just enjoying playing footy at the moment.

``I can't wait to get back out there for Lonnie and finish the year off and hopefully go deep into the finals.

``I think my All-Australian selection is a step toward my long-term goal and the hard work starts now I guess.''