In his first senior game for WAFL club South Fremantle late in the season, Jarrod Pickett kicked a goal with his first touch, a 55-metre long bomb.
The next week he kicked two goals in the final few minutes of the game to give his side a one-point win. The first goal came after a huge mark deep in attack, and the second from a checkside kick on the boundary. If anyone needed reminding of Pickett's quality, they got it.
Pickett had an up and down year, playing some good games for Western Australia in the under-18 championships but struggling to hit his best form consistently. After showing excellent signs as a lightning quick small forward last year, he had intentions to move into the midfield this season.
That was where the Indigenous prospect played his best footy, having built an engine to get around the ground. His taste of senior action for South Fremantle to end the WAFL season was important, and he didn't look out of place at 180cm and 76kg.
Pickett might be the most exhilarating player in the draft. His run and carry, elite speed and damaging skills make him a possible top-10 selection.
He can run a 20-metre sprint in 2.8 seconds, has broken eight seconds for the agility test, and uses that acceleration in games, regularly tucking the ball under his arm and backing himself.
His standout game of the year came against South Australia in the under-18 championships when he kicked three brilliant goals and gathered 22 disposals. It was an electrifying display.
Pickett has improved his endurance to go with his speed. He attended last month's national combine knowing he had to prove his running capabilities, and recorded a 14.4 beep test and 11:07 three-kilometre time trial.
He's a positive, driven and professional character who has been working towards his AFL opportunity for some time.
His inconsistency has been an issue throughout the season, and while his best games are amazing, his quiet ones can be very quiet. Defensively Pickett can improve – with his tackling sure to be a focus over the first stage of his AFL career.
Pickett has a lot of traits that are similar to Hawthorn's Bradley Hill when he entered the system at the end of 2011.
Hill was naturally a better aerobic runner at that time but Pickett has become a very good one. When up and going, Pickett's ability to sweep the ball quickly from one end to the other is much like Hill's, who has found his niche on a wing for the Hawks.
With his point of difference, Pickett has had a lot of interest from clubs through the season. He is likely to be picked in the 4-10 range.
A high-end talent who can produce brilliant match-turning moments on a regular basis. Pickett is the flyer of this year's draft: he gets the ball, senses he's got some room to take the game on and has the wheels to get past anyone. He has the best highlights package in the draft.
