East Fremantle colts midfielder Josh Browne has credited a positional change which forced him into the thick of the action for vaulting him into AFL draft consideration.

The 18 year-old enjoyed a whirlwind season, overcoming injuries which forced him to miss state representative games to claim the Jack Clarke Medal as the WAFL colts’ fairest-and-best player.

For someone who talks about placing an emphasis on consistency, Browne walked the walk this season to average 32.4 disposals per game, with the lowest output 26 touches.

SEE JOSH BROWNE’S HIGHLIGHTS, STATS, PROFILE & MORE HERE

Having previously called the half-back flank home, Browne was moved further up the field this season and excelled in his new role as a dual midfielder-forward.

While the challenge of a new role may have been daunting, Browne said he always had faith in himself to be able to produce at a high level.

“I felt like I definitely had the capability to play different roles. I really thrived at being able to play throughout the midfield, playing as that inside mid that releases to the outside players,” he said.

“I always have belief in myself. I’m capable of being consistent enough because I’ve done the work to get to that point. I think it’s a strength of mine.”

Browne said he used his time as an on-baller to soak up every little detail needed to succeed at the coalface.

“Being able to read the ball off the ruckman’s hands and make sure that I’m in a position to get my hands on the ball first, that was one of my roles,” he said.

“I learnt different kind of strategies within the contest to be able to ensure that my hands were the first on the ball.”

With the draft around the corner, Browne said he had done his best to avoid the buzz, but was understandably looking forward to the potential beginning of his professional career.

“I’m trying to stay right out of the bubble and just listen to the people close to me, like my manager. I’m trying not to listen to any real external noise,” he said.

“There’s just so much excitement because it’s been something that I’ve been working towards for so long.

“To be put on a list anywhere, I just know that I’ll thrive in that environment and get the best out of myself.”

However, should Browne’s name not be called on draft night, he will not be ready to concede his AFL dream is over just yet.

“I’ll give myself every opportunity to keep trying to get some interest from AFL clubs to hopefully get an opportunity in the years to come,” he said.

“It’s not something that I’ll give up on for sure.”