If it wasn’t for an unfortunate injury earlier in the year, Jy Simpkin would have been a Top 10 Draft pick according to AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan.

Hailing from Mooroopna, the small forward has faced his fair share of challenges, including moving to the city to take up a scholarship at Scotch College.

"That was a pretty big move, it was pretty scary," Simpkin told The Age.

"From having Mum and Dad always around you, if you're hungry or thirsty getting you something to eat or drink, to now having to go around and do it all yourself and not having them around."

But he believes all the hurdles have helped him mature.

"It sort of feels like [Scotch are] always on your back to make you work harder, but they're just doing it to help you get the best out of yourself," he said.

"Sometimes it can get a little bit annoying when they're telling you to do stuff, but it has been good, it's helped me a lot with my schooling."

In just his fourth football game of 2016, Scotch's round one match against Caulfield, he broke a bone in his right leg and tore a ligament.

"Straight away, the first thought I had was, 'I'm not going to get drafted now, I don't know what to do'. I got pretty emotional, because I thought my draft was over and I was done," he said.

"For a few years now, most of the boys have been looking forward to their 18th year, being their draft year, so being unable to play has made it pretty frustrating and I've been unsure about what the future holds."

Despite the serious injury, AFL clubs circled with recruiters still keen on the highly talented teen.

“He’s the boy with the dancing feet. He could have been in the top ten if this draft was in the middle of the year,” Kevin Sheahan said on Draft night.

Taken with pick 12, he’s the perfect fit for North.

“Look for him to lay some big tackles when he gets his opportunity,” Brad Johnson said.