DRAFTEE Cory Gregson is looming as a dark horse to line up in Geelong's round one blockbuster against Hawthorn.

Gregson, who was selected with pick 47 in last year's national draft, has impressed the Cats' coaches with his application on the training track and his performances in the NAB Challenge.

Now the pint-sized 18-year-old South Australian (at 175cm he is the shortest player on Geelong's list) has set his sights on taking on the Hawks on Easter Monday.

"That's one of my goals at the moment, so hopefully I can achieve it," Gregson told geelongcats.com.au. "I'll definitely be striving for a debut pretty early on.

"I'm absolutely loving it here. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful from day one."

Cats assistant coach Nigel Lappin said Gregson "would have to be" a chance to play in round one.

"He's a pure footballer in that he's smart with his decision-making," Lappin added. "His instincts are really good. He understands where the ball is going next.

"He's got really good leg-speed, good agility and he wants learn. So they're the type of kids that you really enjoy working with. He's a joy to coach."

Gregson played predominantly across half-forward in Geelong's NAB Challenge games against Gold Coast and Adelaide.

He gathered nine disposals and kicked a goal in the loss to the Suns, then tallied another nine touches in the win over the Crows.

His sold form means he is expected to line up in the club's final NAB Challenge match against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

"It's good to get a feel for what it's like in the AFL," Gregson said. "Definitely the speed and intensity just goes up another level from what training is."

Gregson believes the five games of senior footy that he played in the SANFL with Glenelg last season have held him in good stead.

"There are a lot of AFL-listed and ex-AFL players in the SANFL, so it gave me a feel for what it takes to play at this level," he said.

"When we versed Port Adelaide last year we lost by 100 points, but I played on players like Kane Mitchell, Cam Hitchcock and I tried to learn off them as I was playing on them."

Regardless of whether he is in the VFL or AFL team, Gregson is likely to spend most of this season playing across half-forward, but he will push into the midfield on occasions.

"Even in the first NAB Challenge game against Gold Coast we played him on-ball at times," Lappin said. "He gave us some real life and energy.

"At times we might need him and Cockatoo to go through the midfield in the AFL side to liven us up a little bit and give us a spark. We feel both those boys can do that."

Gregson's rapid emergence would be complete if he was selected for the home and away season opener against Hawthorn.

"It would be unbelievable," he said. "It would be a dream come true, really. But if not, I won't be too disheartened."

Gregson knows that breaking into the Cats' AFL side at any stage of the season will be a triumph for the first-year players.

"This year I'll just give it my all and if I can play an AFL game I'll be absolutely rapt," he said.