WAGGA teenager Mick Mattingly is not getting his hopes up ahead of Thursday night's AFL Draft.

Mattingly could not have done much more over the past 12 months to enhance his chances of an AFL career but is certainly not getting ahead of himself heading into the draft.

Mattingly is being realistic about his chances and believes his best chance is next week's rookie draft, as opposed to tonight's national draft.

"I'm not feeling too bad," Mattingly said.

"I'm not feeling as nervous as Dougal (Howard) is because I'm not going in with any expectations, he should get picked up.

"I haven't had too much interest and if anything was to happen it would probably be in the rookie draft next Wednesday, I'll wait around for that one.

"There is still nerves just thinking about it."

Mattingly was one the most consistent players for NSW-ACT Rams through this year's under 18 national championships.

He was regularly among the leading possessions as the Rams used his elite skills from half-back.

Mattingly was rewarded with selection in the All Stars game on AFL grand final day, where he again delivered with 19 possessions in the winning team.

His best effort came the following week at the AFL draft combine where he was at the top of the kicking and clean hands testing, while he also recorded personal bests in the three kilometre time trial and beep test.

"I was pretty stoked with my combine," he said.

"Most interest came around the game on grand final day and that followed through to the combine.

"There's been a bit of interest since but more about the rookie list than anything."

Mattingly, a Turvey Park junior, finished year 12 at Wagga High School recently.

He played the majority of his football this year with NSW-ACT Rams, while also linking with Ovens and Murray League club Corowa-Rutherglen.

Mattingly, also a talented cricketer, has no big plans for Thursday's draft and will watch it with mother Ros, little brother Jack and older sister Alice.

In hoping to be picked up in the rookie draft, Mattingly will look to follow the path trodden by the likes of Matt Suckling, Luke Breust and Harry Cunningham in recent years.