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ADAMS, HINCHLIFFE HEAD WEST PERTH'S DRAFT PROSPECTS

Monday, November 23, 2015 - 10:51 AM by Chris Pike

MARCUS Adams might be attracting the majority of the attention in terms of potential draftees from West Perth in Tuesday's AFL National Draft, but clubs could do worse than seriously considering midfielder Clint Hinchliffe.

Adams had an outstanding 2015 for the Falcons and the 22-year-old powerful athlete looks set to benefit for his hard work to improve his game by being drafted into the AFL.

Adams originally came to West Perth ahead of the 2014 season after two years out of the WAFL system following time at Swan Districts where he played in the colts, reserves and league teams in 2011.

Upon arrival at the Falcons, he was used at centre half-forward to good effect for much last season where his hard leading, long kicking and work ethic had him as a valuable member of the forward set up.

However, through necessity more than anything he was pushed back for the last month of the season and that's where he truly found where all his tools were best suited.

Adams played either at centre half-back or full-back for virtually all of the 2015 season and emerged as one of the best key defenders in the WAFL.

With his ability keep up with opponents on the lead, beat them in one-on-one battles and then run the ball and kick it long going the other way, he was a great asset to the West Perth team that made the grand final and now he looks certain to be in the AFL in 2016.

Hinchliffe might not have made his league debut yet with West Perth or have the profile that Adams does, but he very well could have an AFL future as well.

The 19-year-old emerged as one of the best players in the colts in 2015 and in his 12 games at West Perth he averaged 25.4 possessions. That included a stunning best on ground performance with 36 disposals, six tackles and two goals in Round 14.

In his 12 appearances, he didn’t have less than 20 touches in any of them and had 30 or more on three occasions.

He also played for Western Australia in the National 18s Championships and late in the year played three matches in the reserves where he was well and truly up to the task averaging 21.7 touches.

With a natural ability to win plenty of the ball and work hard all day in the midfield, AFL clubs could certainly do much worse than give the dual sport athlete an opportunity.

Hinchliffe has always been an outstanding junior in both cricket and football, but he didn’t accept a scholarship to the Cricket Centre of Excellence in 2015 so that he could focus on his football at West Perth and for WA.

That saw him miss a potential tour with the Australian under-19 team but he wanted to give football the best possible opportunity.

He certainly delivered with a terrific season and he has the potential to develop into an AFL level with West Perth in the WAFL if not in the AFL if a club gives him a chance.