HUNTER Clark was so keen to become a dual-sided player through his youth that sometimes the highly rated draft prospect would ban himself from kicking on his preferred right foot in junior matches so his left side would improve.

It is a goal that first developed when the Dandenong Stingrays half-back was 12 years old and was instructed to have six weeks off to nurse an injury. Clark wasn't keen to waste his time on the sidelines, so decided to tune up his left foot disposal.

Kick-to-kick sessions with his dad using only his left foot became more regular, and he started to use his left side more in games. "I kept on getting better at it and I'd pick games at junior level where I'd say 'I'm only going to kick with my left foot' all day," Clark told AFL.com.au. "It's benefited me a fair bit now."

It has made Clark one of the most skilled players in this year's draft pool, giving him a weapon to spin out of trouble and find a teammate on both sides of his body. It has also made him a rare player where it is difficult to know which is preferred side.

It's not the only thing Clark has going for him as he starts his draft year. The attacking defender has already impressed at under-18 level, having cemented his place in the Stingrays' back half and also representing Vic Country at last year's national carnival.

Clark has spent the past week training with the NAB AFL Academy at the IMG Academy centre in Florida. Already touted as an early selection, the 17-year-old is keen to build up his fitness so he can move into a midfield position. He knows the work will start early.

"All our other academy camps have been reasonably similar with what we've been doing but this one we've got all the other athletes here and the facilities are amazing. I've just taken everything in and am trying to learn as much as possible," he said.

"I want to play in the midfield this season and move into a rotation there. I still want to play back and move forward at times as well to push up my versatility. To play in the midfield I need to improve my fitness so I'm really aiming to do that."

Clark looks set to be the next prominent graduate from his local club Mt Martha, which has produced two of the past five No.1 draft picks (Lachie Whitfield in 2012 and Jacob Weitering in 2015).

Clark remembers Whitfield playing at the club but was too young to know him well, however he went to the same primary school as Weitering and their families are friends through the pair's sisters. Before heading to America, Clark had a couple of training sessions with Weitering on the Mornington Peninsula.

They share the same personal trainer, and the experience of working alongside the emerging Carlton star has reinforced Clark's ideas about the professionalism required at the top level.

"When I used to see him at Mt Martha he played mainly as a forward who just marked everything and kicked goals from anywhere. It was pretty cool to know someone who went No.1 and it was awesome seeing him do that," Clark said.

"When we trained together the standards he set himself were really high, and even if he was in pain and struggling he'd still get through the session that he'd set out for himself because he knew that's what it takes.

"Even after training he'd have shakes ready to go straight away, so he was always really prepared. I've started making sure I have some protein ready after each session I do now."