If you get to the MCG early this weekend, you could well be watching a future Brownlow medallist or AFL premiership captain in action.
This 2018 draft has been long been compared to the famous 2001 class that yielded the likes of Chris Judd, Luke Hodge, Gary Ablett and Jimmy Bartel, along with hidden late gems in Dane Swan and Brian Lake.
Victoria Metro will clash with Victoria Country in the under-18 national championship as a curtain-raiser ahead of the Carlton-Collingwood match.
The corresponding match 17 years ago saw up to 15 juniors involved who would go on to become elite AFL players.
That's not even including No.1 pick Hodge, who sat out the game injured.
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan says the top-end talent "looks pretty special" and is stacking up nicely in comparison to 2001.
The hype that started as early as 2016 for this crop looks to be real.
No.1 contenders Ben King, Bailey Smith and Max King feature for Metro, while Geelong Falcons midfielder Sam Walsh has produced two eye-catching performances for Country to boost his stocks.
While Victoria always contributes a large chunk of the draft pool, it is shaping up to be a golden generation for South Australia.
Key forward Jack Lukosius is one of the favourites to be picked first while lively goal-kicker Izak Rankine has been impressing playing against men in the SANFL.
"South Australia have an exceptional group and they're playing some great footy," Sheehan told AAP.
"It's as good a group as they've ever had."
The national championships are a barometer for clubs and recruiters, but below-par performances there don't always mean players' hopes are shot.
Sheehan points to stars like Nat Fyfe, Marcus Bontempelli and Lachie Neale whose prospects skyrocketed after the representative carnival.
Melbourne's Clayton Oliver was completely overlooked for Vic Country in 2015, but went at pick four in the draft and has gone on to become one of the Demons' premier players.
"Some boys really absorb it (the championships) and love it, while other boys will learn from it more," Sheehan said.
"Some kids take off later in the year once they get a taste of the action and develop differently."
Among the stand-out father-son prospects are Nick Blakey, Bailey Scott and Rhylee West.
The national championships finish up on July 4 with a grudge match between Vic Metro and South Australia.
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