CARLTON father-son prospect Wil Hickmott has turned heads after dominating the WA Draft Combine on Sunday.
Watched by his dad Adrian, who played 134 games for the Blues after 50 at Geelong and is now a West Coast assistant coach, Hickmott showcased the running power which could be the point of difference for him to find his way onto an AFL list.
The 180cm outside midfielder pushed to level 21.3 in the gut-busting Yo-Yo test, a result that would have placed him just outside the top 10 at the NAB AFL Draft Combine last week.
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Hickmott also ran an elite 8.13-second agility test, which would have seen him finish third overall in the national combine, and blistering 2.86-second 20m sprint – faster than any prospect at national level.
The Subiaco product looms as a late national draft selection or potential rookie after averaging 21.7 disposals in the WAFL Colts competition, and he did his chances no harm on Sunday.
"Wil Hickmott today has run a terrific test, he's won the 20m, the Yo-Yo and the agility, so hopefully that really boosts his chances of getting picked up," state talent manager Adam Jones said.
"Wil is a very good outside player. He's got terrific speed, he's got good endurance, he kicks the ball really well and makes good decisions."
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— WAFL (@WAFLOfficial) October 14, 2018
Hickmott nails 21-3 in the Yo Yo #aflstatecombine pic.twitter.com/6PgpFtgvdA
The Blues have been tracking Hickmott, whose elder brother Liam, 19, won the Jack Clarke Medal as the WAFL Colts' best player this year.
But the 17-year-old has interest from rivals too, with at least two AFL clubs required to nominate them before prospects are invited to test at the State Combine.
Fremantle's Next Generation Academy prospect Jason Carter was another to impress, producing a rapid 2.87-second sprint and 90cm running jump.
Carter has worked closely with the Dockers' NGA coach Tendai Mzungu this year, and is a chance to find his way onto the club's list.
"He's got a lot of talent, Jase. We saw a bit of that this year," Jones said.
"(He was) a little bit up and down with his form, but he ran a terrific 20m time with a 2.87 today, so the potential is there with Jase to get that consistency right."
.@simplyenergy Draft Watch
— WAFL (@WAFLOfficial) October 14, 2018
Parker producing the goods in the 20m sprint #aflstatecombine pic.twitter.com/6JugZ7EEoM
This year's State Combine lacked the obvious star power of 2017, when former Subi high-flyer turned Eagles premiership player Liam Ryan was the headline act.
Zac Langdon (Giants), Bailey Banfield and Scott Jones (Fremantle), Matt Guelfi (Essendon), Liam Baker (Richmond) and Ryan (West Coast) were among those rewarded with AFL chances from last year's crop.
Dynamic 22-year-old South Fremantle forward Matthew Parker, who booted 27 goals this season, 196cm Claremont big man Oliver Eastland, 20, and Swan Districts midfielder Tobe Watson, 20, shape as mature-age prospects in 2018.
"I think this year our (draft) numbers will be quite solid," Jones said.
"We might not have the top-end we've had in previous years but I think our numbers and getting kids onto lists will be quite solid again.
"We've had a really good success rate with our mature-age players in the past.
"(Parker) is a really good size, he's got that speed, agility and skill, so following a little bit in the footsteps of Tim Kelly at South Fremantle, clubs will be thinking he might be able to take that step up as well."
.@simplyenergy Draft Watch
— WAFL (@WAFLOfficial) October 14, 2018
Spooner working the legs in the agility test #aflstatecombine #wearewafl pic.twitter.com/ACu3SxJtcz
WA Draft Combine results
20m sprint
Wil Hickmott (Subiaco) 2.86 seconds
Jason Carter (Peel) 2.87 seconds
Dylan Curley (East Fremantle) 2.91 seconds
Yo-Yo test
Wil Hickmott (Subiaco) Level 21.3
Jarvis Pina (Peel) Level 21.1
Jack Mayo (Subiaco)/Tom Medhat (West Perth) Level 20.8
Matthew Parker (South Fremantle) Level 20.6
Agility test
Wil Hickmott (Subiaco) 8.13 seconds
Jarvis Pina (Peel) 8.15 seconds
Louis Miller (East Perth) 8.18 seconds