AFL NATIONAL talent manager Kevin Sheehan says Hawthorn has recruited a "beauty" in New Zealand teenager Kurt Heatherley.

Heatherley, 17, is on an international scholarship with the Hawks and can be upgraded to international rookie status at the end of next year.

The Bay of Plenty product starred at this week's AFL Draft Combine, finishing second in the 20m sprint, with a time of 2.84s.

Sheehan said he expected the 192cm, 83kg Heatherley to be a ready-made AFL player by the time 2014 rolls around.

"They've got a beauty I reckon," Sheehan told AFL.com.au's Trade Radio.

"(National recruiting manager) Graham Wright heads up their recruiting, he's the one that's been brave enough to sign Kurt Heatherley and they're going to have to wait until the end of next year … [but] I reckon there's one sitting there beautifully that can play in the AFL the year after.

"Well done to the Hawks for having that foresight in getting involved in the recruitment out of New Zealand."

Heatherley played a "handful" of games for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup at the back end of this season, taming a number of promising tall forwards.

Sheehan said he also tested well in most areas of the combine.

Another international to catch the attention of recruiters during the past four days was American Eric Wallace.

The 197cm Wallace won the award for best international after finishing fourth in the standing vertical leap (80cm) and ninth in the running vertical leap (85cm).

Sheehan said the success of Swans premiership ruckman Mike Pyke - who began playing AFL four years ago following an international rugby career - may have prompted scouts to look overseas.

"[Wallace is] 22, 23 years old, spoke to many of the clubs … was interviewed by eight or nine clubs," Sheehan said.

"Clubs are seriously considering now, possibly on the back of Mike Pyke's performance in the final, giving an American a go. Bring him out, give him a crack at it.

"That's yet to unfold, but many clubs today were talking to Eric Wallace."

Michael Whiting covers Gold Coast news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL