A knee injury will keep a potential top five draft pick sidelined at the AFL draft combine but Tom Green says the "curse" could be a blessing in disguise.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Canberra product says he is scheduled to meet with eight AFL clubs at this week's combine but a small meniscus tear will keep him out of the on-field testing.
The injury is unlikely to have a serious impact on Green's stock with the GWS Giants exploring the prospect of trading up to get their hands on him before rival clubs come knocking.
The teenager has long been touted as a potential top 10 pick and he could go in the top five having shone in the midfield for the Allies at the national championships and for GWS in the NEAFL.
Green admits he would love to be testing himself in front of AFL recruiters in Melbourne this week but a short stint on the sidelines will ensure he is ready to go for the first day of pre-season training.
"I won't be testing, it's a little knee niggle I picked up at the end of the year [while playing in the NEAFL]," Green said.
"It was a small meniscus tear in my knee, they think I picked it up in one of the later games. It's nothing serious, it's nothing I have to have surgery on or anything.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
"It's just quite precautionary to be honest, just to make sure there is no major issue. We're just looking after it and making sure it's alright to go for day one of pre-season.
"It's a blessing and a curse. You'd like to test and you'd like to be right involved with everything that's going on.
"But having said that, it has been a big year and a little bit of rest doesn't go astray either.
"I'm being forced to rest a bit with the knee injury, so it could go either way depending on how you look at it.
"Time keeps ticking away and it keeps getting closer and closer. I'm excited for the rest of this week just doing what I can ahead of the draft coming up."
The under 18 All-Australian midfielder could become the first top 10 pick to come straight out of Canberra should things go to plan in next month's draft, beginning on November 27.
Phil Davis was the last Canberra product to go so high but the Giants co-captain, who led GWS to a maiden grand final appearance this season, had spent four years in Adelaide before being scooped up.
Davis was taken with pick 10 in 2008 and has since gone on to have a glittering career at the top level.
The prospect of following suit in the midst of his stunning rise up the draft boards is certainly not going to Green's head.
"Nah, my family do a pretty good job of keeping me grounded, and so do my mates," Green said.
"It's pretty nice to be talked about like that and have those discussions had about you. That stuff comes about through good play and as long as you're playing well, that stuff happens.
"The most important thing is you've got to play well. It's all pretty good. You get used to [speaking with recruiters], and you get used to how you speak.
"Over the next couple of days, including the one I have already had, I have eight. I'll be a bit busy.
"I'll still be there observing [the combine], watching the boys do their best."
Canberra Demons midfielder Angus Baker is preparing for the AFL draft state combine in Melbourne this week with some insiders admitting they would be "very surprised" if he was overlooked.
His chance to shine after a stellar NEAFL season comes as a host of Canberra-based players emerge as potential draftees for the next AFLW season.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
