It isn’t surprising for a top-tier draftee to generate a media buzz on the eve of the season proper, but for that same excitement to centre around a 23-year-old mature-age recruit taken at pick No. 45, it’s almost unheard of.
Tom Highmore was unexpectedly on the receiving end of exactly that in his first pre-season in 2021, and even for the well-measured and articulate backman, it came as a bit of a shock.
Before he’d even taken the field, the Canberran had drawn numerous comparisons to Callum Wilkie – the ‘clone’ or Wilkie 2.0 were thrown about – and was in just about every pundit’s AFL Fantasy side leading into Round 1.
The faith, although early, wasn’t misplaced. Highmore strung together a 13-game debut season before successive hand injuries spelled a premature end to Season 2021.
Now reaching the end of just his second pre-season, the intercept defender is more than happy for the commotion to be far more subdued as he continues to find his place in the Saints' selection jigsaw.
“I think there’s definitely less noise, but in a way I think it’s a good thing because you feel a lot more settled and comfortable around the place,” Highmore told saints.com.au.
“Obviously it’s so exciting being new to the club. You’re almost like the 'new toy', I suppose. Everyone wants to see how you go, what you’re like, can you play.
“It was a bit of an unknown for everybody, but I think now towards the end of last year I was able to show what I’m capable of.
“Heading into this year and this pre-season, it’s been about getting fitter, getting stronger, getting faster and just continuing to build those relationships with the guys and develop the way we play and where I fit into that.”
His emergence in the second half of the season was just one decision away from almost never eventuating, however.
The game before his breakout appearance against Adelaide in Round 13, which came complete with 22 disposals, 15 intercepts and 13 marks, Highmore was on the chopping block.
Coming on as a medical sub against the Swans, the young Saint was forced to play as a forward/relief ruck to fill the void left by the injured Mason Wood. He finished with just five disposals from three quarters, and in his words, was “lucky” to be spared the axe.
“I was pretty lucky not to be dropped after that Swans game,” Highmore said.
“From that point forward, I was able to string a few good games together and started to feel a bit more comfortable. That probably was the turning point.”
Two separate hand injuries towards the back end of the season put a stopper on his consistent run of form, but Highmore hasn’t taken his foot off the gas as the Saints look to improve upon their 10th-placed finish in 2021.
With COVID-19 preventing the usual off-season jet-setting or returns home (in Highmore’s case, he couldn’t even go back to his native Canberra), most of the extended 12-week pre-season was spent with St Kilda’s “super athletes” in a series of self-imposed running sessions.
Highmore joined the likes of Jack Sinclair, Dan Butler, Daniel McKenzie, Dan Hannebery, Jack Bytel and Jack Steele to maximise his fitness ahead of his follow-up campaign. The off-season training block has paid dividends, especially with the arrival of Head of High Performance and Conditioning – and “hard taskmaster” – Nick Walsh, whose new program has come armed with increased running loads.
“I just tried to tick off every session with them. I think I was that much better for it and that much more prepared for the pre-season, so I’m feeling as fit as I’ve ever been,” Highmore said.
“It’s still a work in progress because the guys at this level are so much fitter and stronger than me, particularly for someone who’s come into the system a little bit later.
“I’ve got a lot of work ahead and plenty of catching up to do, but I’m not going to go wrong latching onto the back of some of these guys.”
Highmore has only missed one week of pre-season after entering AFL Health and Safety protocols, but has otherwise gone by unaffected as he looks to cement his place in the line-up in 2022.
Although being overlooked for the 26-man squad which faced Carlton last week, his sights remain set on earning his place in red, white and black.
“I just want to keep knocking the door down and putting my best foot forward,” Highmore said.
“I’m just doing everything I can to earn a spot. Hopefully when my opportunity comes – whether it be Round 1 or Round 15 – that I’m ready to go and can hold my spot down from that point forward.”
