The 18 year old is starting to take prominence in various phantom AFL national drafts after collecting a premiership medallion with the Calder Cannons, pulling on a Vic Metro guernsey at the under-18 national championships, TAC Cup team of the year honours and an invitation to the draft camp.

One fact not to be overlooked is his evolution from boy to man. "To grow 22 centimetres in the last 18 months was big," he said.

Before the growth spurt, Carlisle was more focused on carving out a cricket career and was part of the North West Wizards regional representative team in the under-18 Commonwealth Bank Cup.

He knocked back advances by the Cannons until he bit the bullet and decided to have a shot at the elite under-18 competition.

"I missed footy and thought I'd go back and play with my mates and enjoy it at local footy," he explained.

"To come from where I came from last year, to make the squad this year and also win a premiership means a lot to me. It's a big step up from where I've come from."

Carlisle has impressed with his tremendous versatility.

Standing at 197 centimetres and weighing in at 85 kilograms, it is only natural that he has taken to the key position roles like a duck to water.

The Aitken College graduate is stingy in defence and a marking option in attack - but Cannons coach Marty Allison has also thrown him into the midfield rotation with success.

"Every game I've played I'm just improving," Carlisle said. "I play my role to the way the coaches tell me and do the best I can to win."

Winning was a habit for Carlisle and his teammates during the TAC Cup finals.

The Cannons marched to the flag from sixth position on the ladder under skipper Jacob Thompson with four consecutive finals victories.

Carlisle could not have envisaged a sweeter end to his junior career. "It's a bloody good feeling," he said of the grand final win over the Dandenong Stingrays at Etihad Stadium.

"It's a dream come true, to be honest."