CAMERON Conlon has the all the attributes of a first round draft pick.

He stands at an imposing 198cm, can leap like a flea off a wet dog, has a strong pair of hands, deft touch in the ruck, and is accurate in front of goal.

The only problem? Thanks to an untimely run of injuries, he hasn't played a single game of football in almost 18 months.

Click here to read Cameron Conlon's draft profile

It is for that reason that the big Victorian is one of the unknown quantities of next week's NAB AFL Draft, with recruiters faced with a serious quandary.

Do they use a speculative pick on Conlon now, knowing the pay-off could be huge but not sure how fully his fitness and form will return?

Or do they play it safe and wait 12 months, aware that a strong 2014 season could see him priced much higher at this time next year?

Even the teenager himself is unsure of which way clubs will lean.

"I don't really have much of a clue what's going to happen at the moment," Conlon told AFL.com.au this week.

"I'm more hopeful than confident.

"I've just got to wait and see what happens."

Conlon's string of misfortune started in June 2012.

A member of the AIS/AFL academy, he had opened the season in blistering form for the Northern Knights, booting four goals against the Calder Cannons in round one, and following up with another five against the Eastern Ranges the very next week.

Switching between the forward line and the ruck, he had also contributed a combined 21 hit-outs in those two matches, earning best afield honours in both.

But seven rounds later, a strong tackle from an opponent resulted in a dislocated shoulder, requiring a full reconstruction and ending Conlon's season.

Over the next summer, a hip problem stalled his return and then, just as he was about to make his comeback for the AIS/AFL squad against Collingwood's VFL team early in 2013, disaster struck again.

The keen basketballer - he made it to state level and even to an Australian team camp before deciding to concentrate on football at age 16 - dislocated his right knee while doing a lay-up at school, damaging the patella bone and tearing his medial ligament, and consigning himself to yet another season in rehab.

For a young man desperately chasing his AFL dream, the injuries have been devastating.

"It's been really frustrating, to be honest," the key forward said.

"It was a lot harder at the start, but I had some really good support to help me through it, and I learned to think positively.

"Now I just want to get back and play, so I can try and make it to the next level."

If there is a plus to be found, it is in the way Conlon has learned to handle adversity.

Onlookers were impressed with his attitude to rehabilitation, and his willingness to help where he could at both the Knights and Vic Metro.

"Hopefully it shows that I've got a lot of positivity and resilience, and they (clubs) know I can work hard to get back out on the track," he said.

Conlon is almost back to full health now.

His shoulder is "100 per cent", and his knee has been passed as structurally sound, with only some strengthening still needed.

He was able to complete all but the 3km time trial at the NAB AFL Combine in October, and has started pre-season training with VFL club the Northern Blues.

If he doesn't get drafted, he will return to the Knights as a 19-year-old in 2014.

However, if his name is read out next Thursday night, he knows he'll be ready.

"I reckon I'll be right to go, especially once I get a full pre-season under my belt," Conlon said.

"Maybe not straight into the seniors, but I'd be able to offer something in the reserves, and then try to work my way up and compete for a spot.

"But, if it doesn't happen this year, I'll just go back [to the TAC Cup] and work hard, and hopefully make it happen next year."

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Twitter: @AFL_MarkM