IT WAS a year-long enforced lay-off with stress fractures in his back that helped aspiring draftee Jamie Macmillan realise just how much football meant to him.

As a talented all-round sportsman, the Scotch College student had been a keen footballer and cricketer from the moment his hand-eye co-ordination allowed it.

From five he was playing Auskick as well as cricket's equivalent and went on represent his school in both sports: earning full colours this year and captaining the cricket side.

However, Macmillan faced the looming decision of which code to professionally pursue and though it seemed tough initially, it came relatively easily.

The stress fractures had taken away Macmillan's 2008 football season and in his time on the sidelines it became obvious what football camaraderie had meant to him.

"Cricket just doesn't have that team orientation about it," the 18-year-old told afl.com.au.

"There's a lot of, 'How did you bowl today' and you give the specific figures on yourself.

"In footy, it's more about the team. I like it because you can bring your mates into the game."

Macmillan has friends in abundance, according to Scotch College director of sport Barry Price.

Price, who has worked at the Melbourne school for 23 years - and even taught Macmillan's father Andrew - has witnessed the youngster's development since 2004.

"He's a very talented all-rounder. He's a classic size, good athlete, beautiful skills, kicks with both feet and is just a nice young man," he said.

"He's a really humble kid. He's just a good young man who loves his sport."

Macmillan played three games in the Scotch seniors this year, alongside Western Bulldogs first-year player Liam Jones, as he juggled TAC Cup and Vic Metro commitments with the school's fixture.

He hit a snag mid-year when one of Metro's games landed on the same weekend as the school's Cordner-Eggleston Cup clash with traditional rival Melbourne Grammar.

After plenty of deliberation, Macmillan opted for the state game but he needn't have worried with the school encouraging its students to put their careers first.

Price added that Macmillan had more football than cricket ability and that leadership came naturally to him.

"It was difficult for him last year when he was injured but he was terrific in that he always turned up to training and sat on the exercise bike on the side, or just did some handballs with the boys," he said.

"He was very supportive, albeit frustrated. It made him really hungry and determined."

The versatile half-back played six games for the Oakleigh Chargers this year for an average of 19 touches.

However, a nagging hip injury caused by overuse flared during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and saw him miss Vic Metro's last two games.

It was wrongly diagnosed as a hip flexor strain and Macmillan further aggravated the muscle as the TAC Cup season entered its final stages.

Macmillan had the inflammation treated but was still hampered when he attended October's draft camp.

"I lost a bit of my speed. In my 20m sprint I ran 3.11 and earlier in the year when I was fresh, I ran a 2.91," he said.

"Draft camp was tough, mentally as well as physically, [but] probably more mentally because you're always on show.

"That was the hardest thing about. I was reasonably happy with testing although I probably could have gone a bit better in a few areas."

Since then Macmillan has worked on his running and is slowly regaining confidence in his hip, to the extent where he's forgetting he ever had a problem.

In between sessions, he studied for his year 12 exams and is waiting to see if he's done enough for entry into commerce at Melbourne or Monash University.

It's a back-up Macmillan knows he needs to have. Rated as a chance to go late in the draft, he understands his name might not feature next Thursday night.

"When I think of players like Tom Scully and Jack Trengove, they've been playing good footy for three or four years and they've been on the radar," he said.

"For me, this is really my first year of playing footy at that level.

"To be honest, I'm thinking I won't and I'll aim to have a run with a club afterwards for a rookie spot.

"If I do go, it will probably be fourth or fifth round. I've spoken to about nine clubs so we'll just wait and see."

He added that his mother Jane wasn't too keen on the thought of him moving interstate but will support him if it happens.

So will the rest of his family, which plans to gather for the live telecast at their home in Camberwell.

"I don't want it (the gathering) too big. If I don't get drafted, it could be pretty awkward," Macmillan said.

"I'll have to watch it. I won't be able to help myself. And if something comes, I'll be more than happy to take it."

Log on to afl.com.au on D-day, Thursday, November 26, for the most comprehensive coverage of the 2009 NAB AFL Draft. We’ll have live chats, live audio streams, in-depth player profiles, club reaction and our famous afl.com.au Draft Tracker.