It's a rare sight to see a ruckman so highly placed in the draft rankings, but talented Eastern Ranges' big man Sam Hayes could defy the odds. 

After an impressive year and at 203cm, the naturally athletic giant has drawn plenty of attention going as we edge closer to the NAB AFL Draft. 

“Ruckmen tend to slide in the draft so it’s a little bit hard to tell what club needs a big bloke. but at the end of the day I’m happy to go anywhere,” Hayes said.

Despite his size, Hayes boasts impressive skils and more recently, his overhead marking has been a highlight after a move into the forward 50. 

“I think compared to last year I’ve been able to go forward a little bit more and have two sides to my game,” he said. 

“For a big man I think it’s really important to have two aspects of that game and I think I’ve done that pretty well this year.

“I thought I was statistically better and I thought I had a better year this year compared to last year. I thought I kept the consistency level a little bit better. There were some ups and downs, it was a long year, but I was happy with how I went.”

Hayes admits there are some areas of his game that could be worked on, but is confident he has what it takes to have an impact on the big stage of the AFL. 

“I think there is a lot of improvement left with my body and my fitness and things like that but I think I will be able to really work at those things and I think I could play pretty early,” he added. 

“It would be an honour [playing AFL]. I’d really love it, I mean I’ve been working towards it for so long and it’s been such a dream since I was a kid so I’d be very honoured to go to an AFL club and I’d love the environment.”