THINGS are starting to get real for Wagga teenager Connor Byrne.

The 2016 draft may still be more than two years away but Byrne is already firmly on the radar of AFL clubs after a standout performance at the AFL national under 16 championships.

The Mater Dei Catholic College year 10 student is back from the Gold Coast where he led NSW-ACT to victory as team captain.

To top the week off, Byrne was named NSW-ACT's Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the conclusion of the carnival.

Byrne returned 31 possessions in NSW-ACT's opening victory against Northern Territory, then followed it up with 17 against Queensland and 30 against Tasmania in the final game.

Byrne, 16, hopes his performances on the big stage and be the beginning of the road towards an AFL career.

"That's the dream," Byrne said yesterday.

"I think it's a start but a lot drop out along the way and only a few go through to the AFL.

"Hopefully I can be one of the blokes that goes through."

Byrne's performance at the championships came as no fluke.

After guiding Wagga Tigers to victory in last year's under 17 grand final, Byrne had some big decisions to make.

He decided to link with Ovens and Murray League club Lavington for this season.

It means he spends close to eight hours a week in the car to and from Albury with father Pat.

"I ummed and ahhed about it for a while," Byrne said.

"We get there in about one hour and 20 minutes.

"It can be hard sometimes on a cold Tuesday night but I jump in the car with Dad and it's good."

The decision to join Lavington may have been a huge commitment but it is a decision Byrne does not regret.

He made his senior debut last month, at age 15, in Lavington's 45-point win over reigning premier Yarrawonga and was named in the team's best.

Byrne played his third senior game for Lavington last Saturday and was named best-on-ground in the Panther's win over North Albury.

"They've been super," Byrne said about Lavington.

"They understand if I can't to a Tuesday night training or anything like that.

"It is a big commitment but it has helped and improved my footy a lot.

"Two-way running, which is so important in football now, Lavington is really good at that and I've definitely improved in that area.

"That was something that helped me at the nationals so that's just one thing that shows it was right choice."

Byrne will now focus on team success with Lavington for the remainder of the season.

"At the moment I just want to play good footy and try and have team success and at the end of the year, then I'll reassess," he said.

"Next year I won't be top age so I'll just keeping working hard and keep improving."