Day two of the combine started with a bang when Eastern Ranges’ half-back flanker Brad Harvey went under Pearce’s time of 2.79 seconds, set back in 2004, but not to be outdone, Queenslander Joel Wilkinson bettered Harvey’s new mark soon after.
Wilkinson has only been playing competitive football for two years, but the Queensland under-18 captain thrust himself into the spotlight in front of the gathered AFL recruiters and senior coaches in no uncertain terms with a time of 2.747 seconds at the AIS on Wednesday.
“[It did feel quick] but that’s just through confidence. When people are confident you run and you think ‘that felt quick’ but I never knew I was running that quick,” Wilkinson said. “It was a bit of a buzz having everyone here [watching]. I’m a bit shocked really.
“I had a big emphasis on today, especially the repeat sprints, but I honestly wasn’t expecting too much from the 20m sprint so it gives me a lot of confidence.
“But the pressure is definitely not any [greater] on me because my expectations [of myself] definitely exceed anyone else’s.
“I put a lot more pressure on me than the coaches do.”
Harvey’s performance is even more impressive when his 75cm vertical leap, which led combine testing on Tuesday, is taken into account.
“I had the record for about half an hour so. I’m a bit disappointed, but [Joel] beat me pretty convincingly so good on him,” Harvey said.
“I came here not expecting to do that well in the 20m sprint and when I saw I broke the record I was pretty stoked.”
GWS coach Kevin Sheedy was on hand to witness the achievements and was glowing in his praise for the two players and the combine which is now in its 17th year.
“It keeps improving every year which I think is important and I think the calibre of the players coming through [is too],” Sheedy said.
“Getting the [the young players to understand] the idea of what you’ve got to prepare to actually do one day in the big league.
“It really starts with having an attitude to get along here and test yourself against the best.”
