If he wasn't already on the radar of any AFL clubs, Mitch Maguire almost certainly would be now.
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Canberra Demons midfielder Maguire claimed the NEAFL Rising Star award after a breakout season that saw him finish fourth in the league's most valuable player votes.
The 20-year-old Riverina product was one of five Demons youngsters in the running after he averaged 27 disposals and five clearances per game.
Maguire has played an integral role in Canberra securing a maiden finals appearance, which will come against Sydney University at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday.
Aspley Hornets midfielder Matthew Payne capped off a stellar season to claim a staggering fourth league best and fairest award with 95 votes, having been voted MVP in 2016 and 2014, after winning the Grogan Medal for the northern conference in 2011.
Maguire had polled the most votes for the NEAFL's most valuable player award before voting went behind closed doors after round 16, but an indifferent finish to the season saw the MirroulMirroul product slide down the table.
He still did more than enough to earn selection in the NEAFL team of the year, alongside Canberra half-forward Mitch Hardie.
Hardie was also in contention for the Rising Star award, as were fellow Canberra teammates Alex Paech, Angus Baker and Jarrod Osborne.
Canberra's Alex Smout finished 10th in the MVP rankings with 50 votes.
2018 NEAFL AWARDS
Most valuable player: Matthew Payne (Aspley Hornets) - 95 votes
Rising Star: Mitch Maguire (Canberra Demons)
Mark of the year: Liam Patrick (Northern Territory Thunder) - Round 14 v Redland Bombers
Goal of the year: Damien Bonney (Sydney University) - Round 9 v Sydney Swans
Leading goalkicker: Matt Hammelmann (Redland Bombers) - 60 goals
Umpires of the year: Taylor Mattoli (goal), Alex Donoghue (boundary), Andrew Adair and Nic McGinness (joint field umpire winners)
NEAFLNEAFL Team of the Year:
B: Ryan Hebron (Sydney University), Adrian Williams (Redland), Colin O’Riordan (Sydney)
HB: Cameron IlettIlett (NT Thunder), Liam Dawson (Brisbane), Adam Gulden (Sydney University)
C: Josh Clayton (Southport), Matthew Payne (Aspley), Ben Warren (Aspley)
HF: Mitch Hardie (Canberra), Jackson Paine (Redland), Michael Manteit (Southport)
F: Tom Wilkinson (Southport), Matt Hammelmann (Redland), Tom Young (Sydney University)
Foll: Darcy Cameron (Sydney), Andrew Swallow (Aspley), Mitch Maguire (Canberra)
Inter: Jake Spencer (Aspley), Abraham Ankers (NT Thunder), Jacob Dawson (Gold Coast), Aidan Bonar (GWSGWS Giants), Craig Bird (Sydney University)
Coach: Stephen Daniel (Southport)
Captain: Matt Payne (Aspley)
