WEST Coast youngster Liam Duggan says he will never compare himself to his fellow 2014 draftees but he has been keeping an eye on them across the competition.
Duggan, 19, was drafted by the Eagles with pick No.11 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft from the Western Jets in Victoria.
The talented midfielder has played 20 games in total so far. He played 12 matches in 2015 and has played every game of this season to-date.
Only Angus Brayshaw (pick No.3), Jordan De Goey (5), Isaac Heeney (18), Touk Miller (29), Jack Lonie (41), Cory Gregson (47) and Harris Andrews (61) have played more games from the 2014 draft crop so far.
Duggan said he was keeping an eye on his fellow draftees but he wasn't comparing himself to them.
"I do keep a bit of an eye on them," Duggan said.
"Obviously I was mates with a lot of those boys so it's really good to see how they're going.
"I think even Jacob Hopper (pick No.7, 2015) on the weekend, who I went to school with, debuted and had a pretty good game so I love to keep an eye on the boys but I'll never compare myself to how they're going.
"Everyone's at different stages and especially with the team. But there are definitely some that are taking the AFL by storm at the moment."
Duggan anticipated that some of his fellow draftees could be among the best players in the AFL in the future.
"I think there is probably a little bit of healthy competition, hopefully in five or six years time some of those boys are fighting for (being) the best in the comp," Duggan said.
"If I can head up that way as well that would be nice but I won't be putting any pressure on myself."
Duggan is the only teenager in the Eagles side at the moment. He had a sluggish start to the season that included two sub-10 possession games against Hawthorn and Fremantle. But he found some touch in the Eagles' big win over St Kilda with 21 disposals and four inside 50s.
Duggan said he was grateful for the support he has received from senior coach Adam Simpson.
"It's given me a lot of confidence," Duggan said.
"'Simmo' has been really good. Obviously I didn't get the start to the year that I would've liked, so for him to keep backing me in, hopefully I can show him what I can do now that he's backed me in. I think yesterday was probably a step forward in that."
Simpson said he was keen to keep giving Duggan opportunities provided he continues to develop.
"I think he's going to be a talent for us," Simpson said on Sunday.
"He's our only real kid in the side I suppose, under 20. We see good signs. He still hasn't hit the heights that perhaps he's hit in previous games but I think we can see a good player in the future and he contributed really well."
Duggan said he did not feel his spot was absolutely secure within the Eagles side but he said he had a lot more confidence in his second year compared to his debut season.
