While Evans has received little attention in the plethora of phantom drafts doing the rounds on the internet, Byrne rates the Sandhurst midfielder as a ready-made AFL player.

“Quite a few clubs have shown a lot of interest in Billy in the past six weeks,’’ Byrne said.

“What amazed us is that he didn’t get invited to the main AFL draft combine. He went down to the state combine and did very well and he impressed in the BFNL finals for Sandhurst.

“A few clubs were up here to watch him in the finals. His under-18 national carnival for Victoria Country was very, very good and that’s where he put his hand up.

“Clubs like him because he’s hard at it, he’s first in to stick up for his mates and his skills are good.

“I’d love to see him get drafted, he’s a terrific kid.”

Flashback: Check out these Bendigo Pioneers draftees before they were AFL stars

Hawthorn and Geelong are the two clubs that have shown the most interest in Evans.

The Hawks and Cats have five picks between them from selections 47 to 59 and that’s where the inside-midfielder’s name could be read out.

The 18-year-old, a keen Hawthorn fan, played down his chances of being drafted.

“I’m not expecting much to happen, I’m an outside chance,’’ Evans said.

“I’ve had a chat with a few clubs, but no club said anything about the draft. It was more just a few questions for them to get to know me.”

Evans had a consistent season with the Pioneers where he was used as a midfielder who could pinch-hit inside forward 50.

“My goal was to make the Vic Country side and I did that,’’ Evans said.

“My first four games for Vic Country were good, but I dropped away a bit in the final two games.”

Evans didn’t look out of his depth playing senior football for Sandhurst.

He was in the Dragons’ best players in the second semi-final and preliminary final, while his gutsy efforts in the first quarter of the grand final against Strathfieldsaye turned heads.

“I really enjoyed playing senior footy,’’ Evans said.

“The hits were a lot heavier, but I got used to it.”

The Bendigo Pioneers other best chance of being drafted on Thursday night is Kerang’s Jaden McGrath.

St Kilda and Port Adelaide have shown interest in the skilful midfielder.

“Jaden really had no luck with injuries this year,’’ Byrne said.

“He probably only played four full games for us this year and he missed the national carnival.

“As a 16 and 17-year-old he got a lot of runs on the board, so hopefully that gets him over the line.”

Bendigo Pioneers centre half-back Daniel Davie has attracted interest from Geelong.

Davie, from Kyneton, had a consistent season for the Pioneers where he finished runner-up in the club champion award.

Gisborne forward Pat McKenna is also a chance to be drafted a standout season with the Bulldogs.

McKenna gave up his role as Australian under-19 cricket captain to pursue his football career.

Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney have shown the most interest in the athletic 18-year-old.

The draft will be held on the Gold Coast and starts at 6.30pm AEDT.