IT WAS deemed the best kick of the under-18 season, so what was going through Hayden Young's mind before he pulled it off?

Young, who starred for Vic Country at the under-18 championships, delivered a bullet pass late in his side's game against Western Australia that blew the minds of recruiters and cemented his place as a likely top-five draft choice in November. 

Young joins this week's Road to the Draft podcast to take discuss his biggest weapon, plus takes us inside the mind of a highly rated draft hopeful dealing with the pressure and expectation of being a top draftee. 

He charts his rise this season, his form highs, the Collingwood player he looks up to and how he's keen to follow his brother, Western Bulldogs rookie Lachie, into the AFL system. Plus, how he's gotten his head around a possible move interstate.

Find Road to the Draft on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

Join hosts Callum Twomey and Nat Edwards on the Road to the Draft podcast, featuring discussion on the next generation of stars plus interviews with key coaches, recruiters and prospects.  

In this week's episode

Top draftee Hayden Young joins the team for a chat about his season and hopes for an AFL career, we wrap up a huge weekend of under-18 action, and also answer all of your Twitter questions. 

Episode guide 

0:30 – The guys review the round of under-18 action, with a look at the top performers around the country.

6:40 – We chat about the junior game that had 'more than 20' future AFL players featuring.

8:30 – The latest about likely top-two picks Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.

11:10 – Dandenong Stingrays star Hayden Young jumps on the show for a chat.

12:50 – Where Young believes his best position will be at AFL level. 

17:50 – The influence of his brother, Western Bulldog Lachie, on his football. 

20:40 – How would he fare with a move interstate?

21:45 – Why Young considers himself a 'footyhead'. 

27:00 – Is it worth Adelaide trading its first pick at this year's draft for multiple selections?

28:30 – The guys look at a novel way to change the draft to help battling clubs. 

33:40 – The latest on Gold Coast's bid for a priority pick.