Toast Welcome to Fremantle Leon Kickett - Pick 8 of the 2025 AFL Rookie Draft

[Spirit Level]

Very impressive highlights.

Has all the tools, if he can condition to AFL properly we have area steal here

 

[Minz]

That love of a run-down tackle is glorious. Hope he gets supported, works hard and reaches his potential.

 

[Lach72]

Didn’t know he was part of West Coast NGA but got punted

 

[wakojako]

Rookies have the odds stacked against them to succeed. We really should ask for more spots to put less pressure on them. Hopefully Kickett has the right mindset because he is going to need to eat and hit the gym. Kozzie was drafted weighing just 67kg so these kids can turn it around, but Kickett doesn't have the luxury of a main list spot.

 

[theGav56]

What timeline would you peeps put on Kickett potentially pushing for selection?

What areas of development does he require? Strength? Fitness? Gameplan/discipline? Goal celebration?

 

[DQ 4EVER]

speaking of research, I was surprised to read today Kysaiah Pickett's 20m sprint combine time was only 3s flat. I consider him one of the quickest players in the AFL. Onfield speed really shows up in different ways to testing, if seems. I note the SA talent manager at the time laughed about the testing results, and said if you put a ball in front of Kosi he chases harder than running from point A to point B. Based on the footage of Kickett ball hunting, I reckon he might be similar.

Actual speed across the ground is only one consideration when it comes to getting the footy.
I used to watch Ballas closely & it was his reaction time that waa elite.
He read the drop of the ball much faster than the oppo & was therefore there before them.
They sometimes bridged the gap, but often it was too late for them

 

[mightymouse75]

Actual speed across the ground is only one consideration when it comes to getting the footy.
I used to watch Ballas closely & it was his reaction time that waa elite.
He read the drop of the ball much faster than the oppo & was therefore there before them.
They sometimes bridged the gap, but often it was too late for them

Such a terrier ..
Miss his runs across forward of centre.
It would rev the rest of the group

 

[Stinky Lomax]

What timeline would you peeps put on Kickett potentially pushing for selection?

What areas of development does he require? Strength? Fitness? Gameplan/discipline? Goal celebration?

He has to knuckle down. He is one of the most pure talented & mercurial kids I have seen at junior level from coaching against him & he should have been more advanced in the rankings. But that’s a good thing for us as long as he does the work now he has been given the opportunity.

He is hard as nails but unfortunately it’s not a given & he needs commitment, discipline & buy in. If he gets those things right the rest will take care of itself & he will be a fan favourite. His size is not a concern as he is brave & tough (not saying you mentioned that, but some might be concerned)

 

[jakefooty23]

Stoked with this selection. Really wanted either one of him or Latrelle Pickett. Could someone with knowledge and an unbiased view let me know the major differences between those two's playstyle? And why Latrelle went so much higher in the draft then Leon?

 

[apuchar]

Actual speed across the ground is only one consideration when it comes to getting the footy.
I used to watch Ballas closely & it was his reaction time that waa elite.
He read the drop of the ball much faster than the oppo & was therefore there before them.
They sometimes bridged the gap, but often it was too late for them

Our team, generally, is pretty poor at reaction time. I wonder if it can be taught.

 

[freo84]

Yeah I like the pick a lot!

I wanted us to draft him so I'm stoked we got him in the end.

 

[Alfonz]

He has to knuckle down. He is one of the most pure talented & mercurial kids I have seen at junior level from coaching against him & he should have been more advanced in the rankings. But that’s a good thing for us as long as he does the work now he has been given the opportunity.

He is hard as nails but unfortunately it’s not a given & he needs commitment, discipline & buy in. If he gets those things right the rest will take care of itself & he will be a fan favourite. His size is not a concern as he is brave & tough (not saying you mentioned that, but some might be concerned)

Sounds like a perfect job for Sonny to mentor a young Swan Districts lad. Hopefully the club is trying to keep the great man involved with the club to help with this sort of thing.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

So so much talent. Here's hoping the club can help him build the career the raw talent deserves

 

[theGav56]

He has to knuckle down. He is one of the most pure talented & mercurial kids I have seen at junior level from coaching against him & he should have been more advanced in the rankings. But that’s a good thing for us as long as he does the work now he has been given the opportunity.

He is hard as nails but unfortunately it’s not a given & he needs commitment, discipline & buy in. If he gets those things right the rest will take care of itself & he will be a fan favourite. His size is not a concern as he is brave & tough (not saying you mentioned that, but some might be concerned)

Thanks. Appreciate your insight. Was worried my question had gone through to the keeper.

We have so many young guns with outstanding professionalism at the club. He's in the right place at the right time I reckon.

 

[Purple Jesus]

I reckon one recently retired club legend is perfectly placed to mentor this young man.

 

[stax on the mull]

 

[Lach72]

Sounds like a perfect job for Sonny to mentor a young Swan Districts lad. Hopefully the club is trying to keep the great man involved with the club to help with this sort of thing.

Ruh roh, jobs for the boys incoming

 

[apuchar]

Maybe. But it sounds like a good idea

 

[s_wd6]

We don't have a good history of developing raw project players to their potential. Would be surprised if he's still on a list in two years. We never seem to give them any longer than that.

 

[wakojako]

We don't have a good history of developing raw project players to their potential. Would be surprised if he's still on a list in two years. We never seem to give them any longer than that.

By my count we have 4 available list spots which is good list management (excl Cox). I think the only real incentive to move players on is if we are tight for spots or they are not living up to their potential like Eric Benning. We just need Kickett to build up a solid fitness base, put on some kgs and perform at Peel. I really flipping hope Walters takes him under his wing because that would increase his chances of success.

 

[Randomizor]

Concerned about this one. Think he’s going to get a bit confused on the field when all of our esteemed supporters are constantly yelling “Oh for ****s sake, kick it!”

 

[Sully90]

Ruh roh, jobs for the boys incoming

Walters is one guy I want involved at the club as long as possible. Moreso than a Pavlich or Fyfe.

 

[AstonSouffle]

Walters is one guy I want involved at the club as long as possible. Moreso than a Pavlich or Fyfe.

Ross has said in the past he's the player he saw as being a future coach, let's hope it happens.

 

[Sully90]

Ross has said in the past he's the player he saw as being a future coach, let's hope it happens.

I've always assumed Ross was hyping him up to the max with that comment. But it's always been reported he trains as hard as he plays, is the most vocal and ready to give advice. Also he's seen both extremes of consequences of his actions on the training track so at the very least he's almost the perfect mentor.

 

[Gekko71]

Mam oh man... So stoked we grabbed this kid -- his pedigree is just utter A grade. Soo hope he makes it.

And hear hear!! If there's ONE guy on this planet I really want to see coaching and leading the way at Freo for guys like Leon, it's Sonny. Literally cannot imagine a better guy to be out there working as a coach of our fantastic crop of small forwards. As a player, as a mentor and as a decent human being, Donny was just top shelf with all three in my eyes, and his captaincy of the indigenous all stars last year was recognition that was long overdue IMO.

Soooo hope Sonny sticks around and continues to live and embrace the second half of his footy dream -- quite frankly I dont think we've ever needed him around the club more than we do right now.