North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson will be watching this weekend's WAFL Colts Grand Final with "a bit of interest" as one of this year's top draft names represents Claremont in the season decider.
Western Australian defender Dan Curtin will return to the Colts level for the Tigers' grand final meeting with minor premiers Perth, who they defeated a fortnight ago to book their place in the final game of the season, which will take place on Sunday at Optus Stadium.
In attendance will be Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson, who has been invited as a guest for the WAFL Grand Final while also speaking at a function in Perth.
The four-time premiership coach will be keeping a close eye on Curtin for the middle match of the day, with Curtin likely to be in the Roos' sights as they currently enter this year's National Draft at Pick 2.
Curtin looms as a near-guaranteed top-five selection for November's count, with North Melbourne potentially calling on the versatile teenager's name with their opening selection should top-rated prospect Harley Reid be snapped up before.
Sunday's grand final will be Curtin's first Colts appearance for Claremont since July, having made his WAFL Seniors debut in Round 17 before holding his place through some impressive form at the state league level to be part of the Tigers' recent finals run.
With Claremont's senior side having since bowed out of the premiership race, Curtin will return to the club's Colts side after playing enough games earlier in the season to be cleared for a return for the grand final.
Clarkson will be among those watching on from the stands, with the Roos coach keen to see the West Coast junior thrive on the big stage.
"He's a talented young lad," Clarkson toldย 10 News Perth.ย
"There's some really good kids in the top end of the draft. We've obviously got Pick 2 so we're gonna get one of those boys.
"He's been playing for the senior for the Claremont Tigers. A mate of mine, Mark Brayshaw, is a mad Tigers man so we've been watching them with interest.
"I'm going to the (Colts) game, so I'll be able to watch him hopefully perform really well... it's good the curtain-raiser will have a bit of interest for me."
Western Australian Football Commission talent boss Adam Jones believes Curtin is a near-certainty to land at Arden Street if Pick 1 holders West Coast call Reid's name on draft night.
That move would see Victoria's top talent land with the Eagles, with WA's leading prospect in Curtin heading east.
"I would just about put my house on it," Jones recently told SEN.
"I reckon if West Coast decides to keep pick one and take Harley Reid, I would put my house on it.
"Curtin would likely end up at North Melbourne."
Curtin, who is able to play as a key defender, tall forward or through midfield, averaged 16.5 disposals and 4.3 marks for the Tigers when playing at senior level.
Sunday's Colts Grand Final will commence at 12:10 pm local time.
