With the AFL draft just a matter of sleeps away the excitement - and trepidation - is bubbling not so far under the surface.
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The deadline for trading picks ended today so that's another box ticked until all is revealed on December 9.
AFL draft prospects from Victoria were on show at Highgate Reserve today in a one-off training session.
The session, Aussie Rules Draft Central explained, served as a final chance for recruiters to survey the talent available in this year's pool.
Ed Pascoe reported that Vic Metro players were split into four training groups with Vic Country players training among themselves in three groups.
"Overall, it was a great day for the players to get a run while bonding with some former teammates and potentially future teammates," Pascoe wrote.
"It was also a nice little refresher for scouts and recruiters as well, who got to see how some of these players have progressed both in their football and in their body. It is hard to gauge who would be considered the 'standouts' from this training session but most players put in the effort required."
As exciting and as potentially career-defining as the draft is, it's also a valuable moment to take stock - and maybe look to the draft of all drafts, the NBA.
Teenage US basketball sensation LaMelo Ball, who had a stint at the Illawarra Hawks last season is a case in point.
For years he was touted as a No.1 draft pick. And with that came mountains of vitriol, heaped on him regularly from a great height. Sports super-network ESPN has detailed his journey in a seven-minute piece well worth watching.
Here's hoping LaMelo, who turned out to be the No.3 pick, gets to live his dream with the Charlotte Hornets. The some goodwill goes to all the young men involved in next week's AFL draft.
This edition of Best On Ground was written by ACM digital news editor Janine Graham.
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