Echuca United young gun Ollie Poole has enjoyed the sort of season every aspiring AFL footballer dreams of in the lead up to the draft.
Playing on the wing for the Bendigo Pioneers, Poole has seen a dramatic rise in his output from last season, which he puts down to his work in the off season.
"Obviously it's been really good, this first block, the Pios are flying, and I thought I contributed really well to the overall team success,” he said.
“I just put it down to having a really big pre-season this year, I got in the gym so I'm fitter and stronger, and I've performed better."
To say he has contributed well to the Pioneers in the first part of the season would be an understatement.
The local star has played five games for the NAB Talent League Outfit this season, being named in the best from four of those games.
Poole also earned a spot in Vic Country line-up on Tuesday afternoon, being selected in the squad for the under-18 national championships, which get underway for the Country outfit this Sunday against South Australia.
The wingman played in the trial game against the Victoria Metro squad, where he was one of the best performers on the ground.
"We played a couple games and I worked myself into it, it took a bit to get going. After half-time I thought I played pretty well,” he said.
Being around the Pioneers and Vic Country set-up has also allowed Poole to take a closer look at some of the other elite junior talent in the country, including the highly touted Harley Reid, who is almost guaranteed to be taken with the first selection in the draft at the end of this year.
"He's a good lad,” Poole said of good friend Reid.
“I go to school and play a bit of footy with him, he's really down to earth and just a good lad to be around.”
Reid has also been named in the Vic Country squad alongside Poole, who said there has been one major takeaway from watching his highly rated mate play football.
"It's just his level that he's at all the time,” he said.
“There's no dips or lulls. He's just that really consistent, really good performer, and I feel like I've tried to take a leaf out of his book and put it into my own.
"My lows are really not that big anymore, and I feel like I've consistently contributed over four quarters, which has obviously contributed to a really good season so far."
Despite having sights set on progressing into the AFL system, Poole has still found time to lace the boots up for the Eagles, even playing in the Three Jacks Trophy clash against Moama at the weekend, unsurprisingly being named in Echuca United’s best.
"Obviously it's really, really nice to come back to local footy and get around the boys,” Poole said.
“It's fulfilling to contribute here, because you're a bit distant when you're playing for the Pio's. When you come back you really want to have a big impact on the team, and I feel like I've been able to do that so far."