BEN LENNON could be one of this year's NAB AFL Draft steals, with the Victorian in line to get through to Richmond's pick No.12.  

The talented half-forward, who impressed during his week training at Richmond in January as part of his AIS-AFL Academy scholarship, will also be in contention at Collingwood's pick 10 and West Coast's selection 11.

But both the Magpies and Eagles have been more strongly linked to other players in that bracket, which could see Lennon get through to Punt Road.

Matt Scharenberg, Marcus Bontempelli, Nathan Freeman and Christian Salem are believed to be on Collingwood's draft radar with their two selections (six and 10).

Meet Ben Lennon: Exclusive interview, match video and draft analysis

West Coast will see if any of the players in the top bracket fall through to them at their first choice, but view the group from pick six through to 12 as being relatively even.

The Eagles traded pick No.6 in the draft for Collingwood's pick 11, as part of a deal to secure homesick Brisbane Lions defender Elliot Yeo.

West Australian midfielder Dom Sheed has been heavily linked to the Eagles throughout the year, but Lennon is also in the mix for West Coast if available.

Lennon's kicking and marking make him one of the most highly rated players in the draft, and he had a consistent year at all levels he played.

He was one of the Academy's best players against Collingwood's VFL team in March, won All Australian honours as a forward after the under-18 championships, and then shifted into the midfield for the Northern Knights as they pushed into the TAC Cup finals.

A number of recruiters have him placed in the best six to eight players in the draft pool.

Midfielders Blake Acres and Matt Crouch and half-back Zak Jones may also come into consideration for the Tigers if Lennon and Salem are selected before their first pick.  

Richmond has enjoyed a run of successes with its first selections over the last seven seasons.

Jack Riewoldt (2006), Trent Cotchin (2007), Tyrone Vickery (2008), Dustin Martin (2009), Reece Conca (2010), Brandon Ellis (2011) and Nick Vlastuin (2012) were the club's first picks in the last seven respective drafts, with all playing important roles in the Tigers' return to the finals in 2013.

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