Top Western Australian draft prospect Dan Curtin says it'd be an "absolute honour" to play under four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson at North Melbourne, with the Kangaroos a likely suitor for the Claremont talent.
Curtin's 2023 campaign has him well placed to land toward the top of the draft board next month, having helped steer the Tigers' Colts side to a premiership last month after taking out the WA MVP honours at the National Championships and also featuring at the senior WAFL level for Claremont in their finals run.
The 195cm backman, who can also play midfield and in attack, averaged 23.3 disposals, 4.3 marks and 4.8 tackles in a multi-dimensional role for Western Australia to appear in their list of top performers in all four of their Championships games.
Curtin would even move into midfield and win his own ball against some of the leading onballers in his class to fully display his versatile traits as AFL scouts watched on.
The West Coast junior now firms as a likely top-five selection for the National Draft and the leading name behind expected No.1 overall in Tongala talent Harley Reid.
North Melbourne is currently placed second in the queue behind the Eagles, while the Roos could also secure the third pick in the draft via free-agency compensation for Ben McKay.
If West Coast starve off high external interest for their prized possession, Reid is likely to make the switch to Lathlain Park, allowing the Roos to claim the leading name from the Eagles' own backyard in Curtin.
Being able to remain in WA would be an ideal scenario for the highly-rated prospect, but Curtin isn't worried about where he lands as the teenager just hopes his dream becomes reality.
Speaking at the launch of this year's Draft Combine, Curtin said he understands the links he's received to the Roos and would love the opportunity to work under Clarkson if he's given the chance.
"Staying in WA would be awesome, but at the same time I'd absolutely love the opportunity to go to Melbourne," Curtain said.
"I do want to be a very loyal player if I do get the opportunity to get drafted. So I'd love the opportunity over [in Melbourne].
"It'd be an absolute honour (to play under Clarkson). He's a very accomplished coach and I'd love to be coached by him."
The 18-year-old has tried his best to block out the noise that has surrounded him throughout the course of this year, with the attention he's received riding parallel to his growth into stardom.
Having been able to place all of his own attention on helping Claremont's finals campaigns - both at the senior and Colts levels - football has ironically been Curtin's best distraction.
"It's very hard to escape at times, especially with friends and family," he said.
"I try to switch off from it as much as I can but I do pay attention to it here and there.
"I've been fine, to be honest. Especially with finals I've been able to focus on that and stay away from everything. Everything can get a bit exaggerated sometimes."
Curtin won't partake in this year's Draft Combine due to a hamstring issue but he has flown to Melbourne to speak with club recruiters and coaches while also getting to mix and mingle with his fellow AFL aspirants.
The talented teenager said while the setback was untimely, it isn't significant enough to leave scouts concerned.
"It definitely is disappointing," he said.
"I would have loved to have shown off my athleticism, but I had a really good season.
"It won't keep me out for too long, it's nothing too serious. It's just not really worth risking at the Combine ahead over an AFL pre-season."
AFL clubs have been left intrigued by Curtin's unmatched ability to play across all three lines of the field with great comfort, with this year's most versatile talent having begun his junior career as a midfielder before growing between 5-10cm over one summer break.
Curtin revealed clubs have often quizzed him on where he prefers to play, with Curtin believing his best football comes across the last line of defence.
Several clubs have even mentioned long-term plans for the big-bodied utility, who could have an eye on a switch into midfield down the track, much like Sydney's Callum Mills.
"Most clubs are pretty consistent, where they talk about me going into play in the backline and then as I get a bit older I could definitely look at playing midfield," he revealed.
"It was really good (to be able to move into midfield this year). I was kind of pushing for it with the coaches throughout the state champs and they kind of just told me just to set myself down back and then if an opportunity arises they'll let me play mid. Luckily enough it did.
"Throughout junior footy I was always playing mid. Only when I had a growth spurt I started being a key position player."
Curtin has often looked toward the game styles of WA pair Tom Barrass and Sam Taylor, who are two of the best stoppers in the business. Studying their intercept marking, play reading and defensive smarts, Curtin has been able to draw in traits from the best and fairest-winning duo and apply them to his own game.
But it might be another figure of WA royalty that Curtin looks most fondly toward, with Fremantle great Matthew Pavlich an astute comparison to Curtin in the eyes of some.
Pavlich won the first of his six All-Australian selections in the backline before being named across the forward third of the team later into his career - one which would end on 700 club goals for Fremantle.
Curtin said he took great pride in the comparisons with the former Fremantle captain, hoping he can follow a similar path in the top flight.
"I don't mind it," Curtin said when asked on the Pavlich contrast.
"He's a very accomplished player across every position and is definitely a player I do look up to.
"I loved his versatility across everywhere. He was an All-Australian in nearly every position. It's something I'd like to do."
The 2023 National Draft will open on Monday, November 20 for the first-round of selections before concluding the following night.
