After managing seven games last year, Howe blossomed under coach Darren Ogier, with several AFL clubs showing interest in the 192-centimetre backman.

Howe, who turns 19 next month, said yesterday he wasn’t getting his hopes up.

“It’s a pretty exciting time but I’m not a certainty or anything like that,” he said.

“I’m just hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

“I thought I had a consistent year more than anything else.

“Coming back as a 19-year-old and getting a full year in the program was great.

“Just the consistent training and knowing the players and coaches a bit better helped a lot.

“It was really good.”

Howe played junior football for Picola and District league club Rennie before moving to Melbourne and attending Xavier College from year 9 to 12.

He aligned himself with Ovens and Murray club Yarrawonga this season while playing for the Bushrangers.

“I didn’t end up playing a game for Yarra,” he said.

“I had a groin injury towards the end of the year which kept me out.

“I wish I could have played in the grand final but it didn’t work out.”

Howe started the season playing across half-back before being thrown into the midfield as the Bushrangers fought their way into the finals.

Talent manager Lee Fraser said Howe made an instant impression at the club.

“Dan has been superb from the moment he walked in the door for pre-season training,” Fraser said.

“He was a best performer in the first intra-club game and continued that on throughout the season.

“Dan is quietly determined with a real desire to improve both himself and the team performance.

“He already has an AFL attitude which will hold him good stead throughout his football and life in general.

“He reads the play really well, rarely fumbles the ball and make good decisions.

“At 192 centimetres he can fill a number of roles across the ground, including as a strong midfielder.”

Caleb Marchbank (Benalla): The fact Marchbank has been invited to tonight’s draft on the Gold Coast speaks volumes about his status. The 193-centimetre rebounding defender reads the play superbly in defence, with some talent scouts comparing him to Geelong’s Harry Taylor.

Dan Howe (Yarrawonga): Impressive performances for Victoria Country, Richmond VFL and the Murray Bushrangers have him in line for a mid-to-late draft selection. Can play at both ends of the ground and capped off a great season with three goals in the elimination final.

Nathan Drummond (Mooroopna): Talented midfielder looks a good chance of being picked up in the 30 to 50 bracket. Won the John Byrne Medal as the Bushrangers’ best and fairest player this season. Played for Vic Country and Richmond’s VFL team and was clearly the best performer at the national draft combine, where he demonstrated his unique double of a 2.93 second 20-metre sprint and 15.9 beep test.

Dougal Howard (Albury): Has been nominated by GWS under the rookie pre-selection rule if he’s overlooked today. Has grown four during the season (199 centimetres) and is super quick (2.94 seconds for 20 metres) and agile. Huge amount of upside to his game with potential to play forward, back or ruck.

Brydan Hodgson (Lavington): Improved out of sight as the season progressed. Performed brilliantly in the national carnival with NSW-ACT Rams before playing great football in the midfield for the Bushrangers at the back end of the season.

Nick Mellington (Benalla): The Bushrangers skipper suffered illness early in the year which inhibited his start to the season. Made up for lost ground with a stellar last part of the season, including two solid games with the Richmond VFL team. A big-bodied midfielder who wins his own ball and has a raking left-foot kick.

Nick Coughlan (Albury): AIS graduate who has been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons. Provided great leadership to the Murray Bushrangers this year by playing a big hand in a number of results, including a five-goal game against Tasmania and a three-goal opening term against Eastern Ranges which catapulted the Bushrangers into the finals. Likely to return to the Bushrangers as a 19-year-old if he’s overlooked.

Isaac Muller (North Albury): Rated by the Bushrangers as the best ruckman in the TAC Cup this season. Played VFL football for Essendon and has outstanding leadership and work ethic. While he isn’t quite ruck size at AFL level there has been some interest.

Mitch Mahady (North Albury): Started the season in attack before pushing into defence, where he shut down some of the TAC Cup’s elite forwards. At 194 centimetres he has enormous upside with the ability to play in key positions either up forward or in defence.

David Mennen (Benalla): One of the smoothest movers in the TAC Cup. Finds space and uses the ball superbly. Still a lot of development in his game and is likely to return as a 19-year-old if he isn’t drafted.Kieran Ellis (Albury): Had a consistent season as a 19-year-old and played VFL for both Essendon and Collingwood. Played primarily in defence before switching forward and impacting on games late in the season.