Former Carlton midfielder Nick Stevens has ''no doubt'' an AFL club should pick NSW/ACT Rams midfielder Tyson Carracher in today's AFL rookie draft.
Stevens, who also played for Port Adelaide, coached the Rams under-18s side this year and was impressed by Carracher's ability to impose himself on a game, despite his season being cruelled by a serious knee injury.
''He's one that I would take tomorrow without any doubt in my mind whatsoever ... he's a kid that I'd grab straight away,'' he said.
''He was absolutely dominating the trial games and then was unlucky that he did his knee.
''He's one that really stands out. He's got good size, a good athlete, good vertical leap.''
Carracher, who held a NSW scholarship with Collingwood the last two years, impressed for the Rams kicking 11 goals out of the centre in two trial games earlier this year.
''He would've been our stand-out player this year, I've got no doubt, because he got himself super fit and was dominating early,'' Stevens said.
But he suffered a season-ending knee injury playing for Ainslie against Greater Western Sydney in the opening quarter of the first round of the NEAFL.
Midfielders that can not only find the footy but get forward and kick goals are highly prized by AFL clubs.
But that knee problem might have put some recruiters off, although a couple of clubs have expressed interest.
It was a cruel blow to Carracher, who had done enough in the game to impress GWS coach Kevin Sheedy.
Having missed out in last month's AFL draft, the 18-year-old wasn't holding his breath and will follow the rookie draft online at the family home in Tathra, on NSW's south coast.
''It's a bit exciting but I don't want to get my hopes up or anything, I'm just keeping calm about it all,'' Carracher said.
Because of his major injury he's been granted special dispensation to play with the Rams at next year's nationals despite being over age.
He's ''100 per cent'' and back training with Ainslie and, if he isn't picked up today, will look to impress in the 2012 NEAFL season.
Along with Carracher, Stevens also thought David Coward and Belconnen forward Oliver Tweeddale were in the mix to get a rookie spot.
He said Coward, also an onballer, had a disappointing nationals campaign with the Rams, by his standards, but his ''explosive pace'' would be a great asset and he'd develop further once in an AFL program.
Tweeddale, a tall forward, was also worth taking a risk on.
''Ollie Tweeddale's one that I reckon could be a really good player. He's got great athleticism and was an Essendon [NSW scholarship holder],'' Stevens said.
''He's one that probably you take a chance on because he's got good height and he's a good athlete but once again he was one that played some good games [for the Rams] but didn't really grab it with both hands.''
Stevens was also impressed with how Tweeddale played for a struggling Magpies side in the NEAFL.
The rookie draft starts at AFL House, in Melbourne, today at 11am.
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