THE in-form Kangaroos have hit an AFL draft jackpot, with star academy prospect Tarryn Thomas surging into top-three pick calculations, according to several clubs, due to his scintillating recent form.

Despite ample pre-season doubts over the club’s 2018 prospects, the Kangaroos have produced a stunning start to the season, which could lead to a later first-round draft pick than first expected.

Yet the Roos could still end up with a top-three talent on their 2019 list, with Thomas a strong chance to attract a bid within the opening handful of selections.

While Thomas, at this stage, is unlikely to be selected at Pick 1, several AFL clubs contacted by foxfooty.com.au believe he’s soared into top-three calculations over the past month, following a string of dominant performances for Tasmania in the Under 18 academy series.

Finals Week 1

According to multiple list managers, it’s not inconceivable to suggest he could be taken as high as Pick 2 in November, while he might’ve been taken at Pick 1 if it was a different draft class.

Thomas produced his best game on the weekend against the Sydney Swans academy, booting 2.2 from 28 disposals, 20 contested possessions, eight intercepts, seven clearances, six inside 50s and a whopping 189 Champion Data ranking points.

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Tarryn Thomas starred against the Sydney Swans academy. Picture: Matt Thompson Source: News Corp Australia

Not only is Thomas one of the best and most well-rounded young talents of this year’s draft class, he’s also one of the most unique. Not only is he tough and clean in congested situations, he also possesses X-factor and genuine outside speed.

As a member of the club’s next generation academy, North Melbourne will have first rights to Thomas, meaning it can use draft points to match any bid on the gun Tasmanian product.

The original expectation was that North could hold a top-five pick — potentially top-three — then match a club’s rival bid later in the first round on Thomas, which could’ve been as late as Pick 15.

But Thomas’ standout form, as well as the Roos’ shock 4-3 start, has flipped that scenario. And that mightn’t be such a bad case, considering North could end up using a later selection to match a bid on a player that could be picked in the ‘natural’ top five.

Thomas has had strong ties to the Roos for several years, with the club considering unleashing him in their VFL side at some stage this year.

Thomas announced himself in his 16th year when he claimed Tassie’s MVP award for the team’s best player in both the Under 16 and Under 18 national championships.

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Tarryn Thomas is set to represent the Allies again. Source: Getty Images

North missed out on father-son prospect Nick Blakey, who has nominated Sydney — the club he has academy ties to — over the Kangaroos and Brisbane Lions where he was also eligible as a father-son selection.

But the club is still hopeful of winning the heart of father-son prospect Bailey Scott — the son of premiership Roo Robert Scott — over Geelong and the Gold Coast Suns.

A rare sour note for North from the weekend was the setback to young defender Ed Vickers-Willis, who re-injured his PCL on Saturday night against the Swans when he slid into an SCG point post.

North general manager of football Cameron Joyce said a time frame on Vickers-Willis would be announced later in the week.