HE MIGHT be a self-confessed 'plugger of gaps' but Vic Metro tall Jack Fitzpatrick has already stamped himself as a prospective first-round selection at this year's NAB AFL Draft.

Standing at 201cm, Fitzpatrick is a versatile big man, who can play ruck, key forward or back.

His recent effort at the NAB Under-18 Championships against NSW/ACT at Rouse Hill in western Sydney, where he gathered 19 touches and took four marks playing up forward and in the ruck, would have caught the eye of even the most critical recruiter.

Such is Fitzpatrick's flexibility, it's difficult to know exactly where he is best suited, according to his Metro coach, former Carlton forward and 1993 grand final player Rohan Welsh.

"He's one of those ones you don't know whether to play him in the ruck, up forward or back. We've got that luxury that we can play him in those different spots," Welsh told afl.com.au.

"He's got a good tank, he's good overhead but he probably needs to improve his kicking a little bit.

"He's pretty versatile so that can be a negative and a positive in a lot of ways for recruiters, who can see someone play back and forward. And he has given us a real target up forward."

As for the young man, he has a unique take on his role in the game.

"I sometimes refer to myself as Selleys all seals – I just plug the gap," Fitzpatrick told afl.com.au.

"As long as I'm playing my role, I'm fairly happy."

Hailing from Wyndhamvale/Western Jets, Fitzpatrick, who has grown up a Hawthorn supporter, is relishing the opportunity to play in his second NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, after tasting victory last year.

"Someone like Nick Suban is now playing for Fremantle and I played with him last year and 'Wattsy' [Jack Watts] just made his debut the other week, so it's great," he said.

"It was great spending time with 'Wattsy', whether it be in South Africa [with the AIS/AFL Academy] or Tassie with Vic Metro, so it's quite a good experience."

Fitzpatrick, who also played Under-16s for Vic Metro, has enjoyed coming through with the system with highly-touted pair Tom Scully and John Butcher in the AIS/AFL academy last year.

So how is the year-12 student at McKillop College, Werribee, handling the early talk that he may be a first-round selection come November?

"Oh well, you don't really tend to look at it – that's another six months away," Fitzpatrick said.

"Hopefully, I can keep some good form up and the rest will take care of itself."