For the first time in his career, Belconnen key defender Logan Austin feels helpless - his fate resting in the hands of the AFL list manager's who pick and choose who they will take in Thursday's AFL draft.
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Austin is one of four Canberrans hoping to follow Greater Western Sydney recruit Jack Steele to an AFL team, if not on Thursday, then next Wednesday's rookie draft.
Liam Griffiths, Tom Faul and mature-age bolter Aaron Vandenberg are also in the mix.
Steele will end Canberra's draft drought when the Giants officially take him at pick 24, having been pre-selected as an academy selection in October, a drought that stretches back to when the Western Bulldogs picked Jason Tutt in 2009.
Austin said the nerves had been building over the last few days as he waits anxiously to find out if his dream will come true.
The Giants academy member will watch the draft at home with his mum and dad.
Both Adelaide and Port Adelaide have shown interest in him, as have the Giants, who can match any bids for him at the rookie draft.
"I can't do anything, I'm kind of just helpless. It's the first time in my footy career where I've done everything possible and my fate is just in someone else's hands," Austin said.
"That part annoys me the most. It's just the build up of it that's probably getting me more nervous.
"Whether I get picked up tomorrow or not, when it's over I'm going to be glad it's over."
Like Austin, Griffiths will also watch the draft at home with his parents.
Fremantle, Richmond and Port Adelaide have shown interest in the half-back flanker, but he had low expectations - as a self-defence mechanism in case he doesn't get picked.
But he said Steele's selection was a huge boost for all Canberra kids.
"I'm sure [Canberra kids] look up to him, they see that they're going through the same system as Jack in Canberra, I think it will give them a bit of hope that they could do the same thing too if they worked hard enough," Griffiths said.
Vandenberg thinks his only chance is in next week's rookie draft and he won't even watch the draft unfold on Thursday.
He's emerged as a bolter after another outstanding season with Ainslie in the NEAFL, which saw him win back-to-back best-and-fairests for the Tricolours.
Originally hailing from Tathra on the south coast, Vandenberg has developed into a ball magnet and an elite midfielder in the second-tier competition.
He's had discussions with Melbourne over the last few weeks as he continues his recovery from a shoulder reconstruction.
"I highly doubt I'd be going [in the draft] tomorrow night as it is, I imagine if I was to get a chance it would be in the rookie draft the following Wednesday, " Vandenberg said.
The draft begins at 7pm and is being shown live on Fox Footy.
