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HE'S BEEN compared to Richmond dynamo Dustin Martin, but No.1 draft hopeful Christian Petracca says it's another bullish midfielder who's brain he's picked in recent weeks.

With his explosive midfield power and ability to kick goals up forward, it's easy to draw a line between Martin and Petracca.

However, the 186cm, 92kg Eastern Ranges product says although he's modelled his game off Martin's, he's spoken extensively to Port Adelaide tyro Ollie Wines ahead of Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast.

"Trying to push through as that midfielder, I thought I'd look more up to Oliver Wines as that explosive midfielder that's able to spread and win his own ball," Petracca said on draft eve.

"I actually got in contact with him before draft camp and asked a few questions, which was really helpful.

"He's had an unbelievable first two years of his career. If I had half the start he had, I'd be pretty happy."

Wines was taken by the Power with pick No.7 in the 2012 draft and has been a vital cog in their resurgence, playing all 49 games over the past two seasons.

Petracca is tipped to go to either St Kilda with the first selection or Melbourne, who has both picks number two and three.

Wines is not the only AFL player who Petracca has spoken to about what to expect once he hits the big time.

He has also leant on three-time Hawthorn premiership player Jordan Lewis, along with discarded Demon Sam Blease, who is now with Geelong.

Petracca was with good mate Angus Brayshaw on Wednesday, as the pair got the rare opportunity of playing with dolphins at Gold Coast theme park Sea World.

It might not be the last time they are paired up, with speculation mounting  St Kilda could take key forward Paddy McCartin at No.1, leaving Petracca and Brayshaw to the Demons with the following two selections.

It's a prospect that sits well with Brayshaw.

"Me and Christian are great mates," he said.

"What I love about him is he's a real competitor and I think that would only serve to drive me more.

"I think we'd work well off each other. We're pretty good mates outside of footy. I'll be stoked wherever I go."