Tarryn Thomas knows the opportunity of an AFL career is before him heading into November’s draft.
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Yet the talented 18-year-old is solely focused on ensuring the Mariners end their national Academy Series undefeated with a victory over GWS Giants at Twin Ovals on Saturday.
“We’re playing pretty good football and my game is not going too bad,” the North Launceston premiership star said.
“I could probably pick it up a little but the team is going along all right.
“Lance (Spaulding) has told me to play with flair and my role through the middle.”
And that he has done.
Thomas kicked 2.2 from 28 disposals, 20 contested possessions, eight intercepts, seven clearances, six inside 50s and racked up 189 Champion Data ranking points in last week’s contest against Sydney Swans – going head-to-head at times with fellow draft prospect Nick Blakey.
After a couple of light seasons, it’s boom time for Tasmania in terms of the number of players on the radar of AFL clubs.
And Thomas, a skilful 189-centimetre, lightly built athlete that can play in defence, attack or through the middle, is odds on to be snavelled up in the first round by North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos have priority over the Hadspen resident and St Patrick’s College student through the club’s next generation academy.
Thomas has long been spoken about as a career AFL player and received plenty of attention from recruiters and media nation wide.
However, the humble teenager is taking all the hype in his stride.
“I tend to try and block it out, and don’t worry about next year too much,” he said.
“I’m just focused on playing good footy for Tassie, hopefully the Allies and North Launceston later on this year. I’ve been working on every part of my game.”
Thomas said he has been training with fellow Mariners in Launceston on Mondays and Wednesdays, baulking up in the gym Tuesdays and Fridays and spending some time recovering with the Northern Bombers in between.
“I’ve been doing a lot of midfield work with stoppages, clearances, communication and all of that kind of stuff,” he said.
“I’ve got a personal trainer who is trying to make me heavier and stronger.
“I’ve been over to train with North Melbourne a couple of times now and it’s a great thing to experience to see how they run the show.
“We haven’t been talking as much lately but we have regular catch ups.”
Thomas, who is already an under-16 and under-18 Tasmanian MVP award winner, is almost certain to be selected in the Allies squad for the national under-18 national championships next month.
The composite side’s first match is against Vic Country on Saturday, June 9.
It is believed up to 10 Mariners are in line for selection including captain Chayce Jones, Ryhan Mansell, Blair Rubock, Miller Hodge, Matt McGuinness and more.
Saturday’s clash with the Giants starts at 10am.