The 18-year-old went on to win the Western Jets' best and fairest after not polling a single vote in the opening six weeks and getting axed from the Vic Metro squad for the national championships.

"I started off the year bad," he said.

"I didn't play well until about round six.

"It was a wake-up call."

Tighe - a constantly on-the-move junior who started with Spotswood in the under-9s before moving to Yarraville and ending up at Altona - is not short of self-belief that he deserving of a place on an AFL list.

The Altona Meadows resident is a mouth-watering proposition for the recruiters as he is a mobile tall that can play at either end of the ground, evidenced by his 25.11 in front of goal and TAC Cup team of the year selection at centre half-back.

"I definitely think I am a chance," he said.

"If it didn't eventuate I can't say I should have done this or done that.

"I've got nothing left to prove."

Tighe would love nothing more than to hear his name read out by the club he supports, the Western Bulldogs.

Bulldogs-listed player Callan Ward is a prime example that dreams can come true, growing up five minutes from the Whitten Oval in Yarraville.

But, fairytales at the draft are few and far between and players are just as likely to end up on the other side of the country than their own backyard.

"It's nerve-racking knowing your future relies on the draft," Tighe said.

"It's an unknown factor."

Tighe put his progress down to the tireless work of Jets senior coach Steven Kretiuk and regional manager Shane Sexton.

It was his Irish-born parents, Gerry and Carmel, who instilled a hard work ethic and whatever success he has can be traced back to his upbringing.