Hiscox running amok in red and white
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegraph website.
By Neil Cordy.
At last month’s draft combine, he smashed the 3km time trial record set by GWS Giants’ Josh Kelly’s record by a staggering 15 seconds.
Hiscox, now 18, has won two under-aged national titles in the 800m.
His personal bests are 1min 51.8sec for 800m and 47.2sec for 400m. With times like that, choosing AFL over athletics was a big one.
“Only got serious about footy last year,” Hiscox said.
“I always loved both and I was afraid of picking the wrong sport and then wishing I’d picked the other. I put time and effort into both in 2012 when I joined the Swans Academy.”
In the past, Hiscox would have been labelled a March champion, a player who wins all the pre-season races but when the practice matches start he can’t get a kick.
The former Newington College student is determined not to be that guy.
Knowing this season was his best shot at being drafted, he sat down with Swans Academy boss Chris Smith — Hiscox has been at Swans Academy since 2011 — and set out a plan.
A big part of the strategy was to improve his kicking. Former Swans player Tim Schmidt put Hiscox through a program which produced dramatic results.
“We went back to basics and the fundamentals of kicking,” Hiscox said.
“Tim and I worked on carrying your momentum through the ball, following through and kicking straight.
“The idea is to let it flow rather than thinking about it too much because you play your best footy when you don’t have to think about it. My kicking was a lot better and more efficient.
“I also concentrated on not fumbling the ball, making good decisions and using it well.
“I could see a pathway to getting drafted.”
Playing 12 games for the Swans reserves and for the NSW Rams at the nationals and in the TAC Cup put Hiscox in front of AFL scouts.
The Fremantle Dockers liked what they saw and offered a second-round draft pick at the bidding meeting for Academy and Father/Son picks. The Swans had to use pick No.38 to secure him.
Now he’s an AFL player his ambitions aren’t diminishing.
“A senior game would be the ultimate goal next year,” Hiscox said.
“I want to get used to the new environment and get to know the boys and become part of the group and not be an outsider. I want to get the trust of and show I’m prepared to work hard.”
FASTEST TIMES 3K TIME TRIAL AT DRAFT COMBINE
1. Jack Hiscox (Sydney) 9:17
2. Josh Kelly (GWS) 9:32
3. Nick Robertson (Brisbane) 9:46
4. Brad Hill (Hawthorn) 9:52
5. Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS) 9:53
