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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “A mercurial small forward with terrific goal sense, capable of taking high marks and hunting the opposition defensively.” – Michael Alvaro
Leon Kickett is among the raft of prospects to climb out of relative obscurity to become a genuine draft chance in 2025. The Swan Districts forward produced a strong back-end to the season where he played two WAFL League games and not only earned a state draft combine call-up, but was promoted to the national combine in Melbourne. The feat marked a steep ascent for Kickett, who shapes as the draft’s top over-age talent.
Hailing from South Bunbury, Kickett made 14 Colts appearances as a top-ager last year and a further 16 this season, but never managed to crack Western Australia’s Under 18 representative squad. Despite that, he continued to impress amongst his peers and showed his wares in the WAFL’s top flight. After debuting against West Coast in Round 19, Kickett booted two goals in his second and final appearance the following week.
Full of confidence, the lively 18-year-old returned to Colts level for a personal-best bag of four goals in the Swans’ elimination final loss to West Perth. His flair and skill clearly attracted the eye of AFL recruiters having been the only 2006-born player to attend the national combine. Kickett was also one of eight West Australians to attend the event having ridden his late-season form into draft conversations.
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STRENGTHS:
+ Forward craft
+ Smarts
+ Speed
+ Tackle pressure
+ Vertical leap
+ X-factor
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Consistency
- Endurance
While many small forwards do one or two things incredibly well, Kickett possesses relatively well-rounded forward craft. He has the smarts to position and crumb at the fall of the ball, but also utilises clever leading patterns to get up the ground and provide connectivity. The over-ager is also lethal around goal, able to finish in a variety of ways - via set shots, snaps, checksides, dribbles, or straight on the run.
Kickett is a speedy customer and showcased his pace with a 2.952-second 20m sprint at the National Draft Combine. He uses that trait to leave opponents in his wake as he presents up the ground, gaining separation on the lead before losing his opponent on the way back to goal. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of Kickett's speed is that he doesn't compromise skill when making things happen in full flight.
Along with his quick feet, Kickett's vertical leap is another eye-catching athletic trait. Part of what makes him so mercurial is his ability to soar for speccies, possessing clean hands overhead for a smaller player. It also makes him an effective lead-up option to diversify his scoring avenues. Kickett's leap was measured as the fourth-best at the combine, notching a 74cm effort in the standing vertical jump test.
Speed and speccies equal considerable X-factor, with Kickett being one of the WAFL Colts' most flashy prospects. He doesn't mind showboating while running into goal either, and tends to play in good spirits. On the flip side, he has a nasty edge with his defensive intent, capable of hitting hard and applying ferocious tackling pressure. At 173cm, he is deceptively physical and can bump opponents off the ball.
For all his talent, there remains some room for improvement in Kickett's game. He found a groove late in the year but can be up-and-down at times. Part of that comes down to a developing endurance tank - Kickett certainly works hard and can impact outside attacking 50, but is among the lower rungs in 2km time trial running. Size will be the other knock, though he can hold his own aerially and is no stranger to tough acts.
DRAFT RANGE: 30-50
SUMMARY:
Kickett has emerged as a potential second round chance having not only attracted local interest, but attention from all over the country. He firms as the best over-age (2006-born) draft chance as clubs scramble to unearth depth in this year’s crop. That means players with a high amount of talent and upside – like Kickett – have been storming up the order and into ranges which put them firmly in the ‘bolter’. He’s the type of player who could go gangbusters in a professional environment, possessing well-rounded forward craft and innate skill.
