HIGHLY-touted draft prospect Jack Darling is recovering in a Perth hospital after being the victim of an unprovoked attack on the weekend.

Darling, who is likely to feature anywhere from the first through to the third round of November’s NAB AFL Draft, suffered bruising to his brain and a fracture to his skull after being attacked leaving a Subiaco hotel on Sunday night.

Police are investigating the incident which left the key forward in a hospital bed with his family by his side.

“Some thugs jumped Jack and his friends as they were leaving the hotel to go to a taxi rank, when Jack hit his head so hard on the pavement he fractured his skull,” Darling’s manager Colin Young told a website linked to his management company.

“The family are hoping there might be some CCTV footage of the incident which would help police in their investigations.

“Now they are hoping they can be left alone while Jack continues his recovery.

“Mrs Darling rang me to inform me of the attack and that they would be in hospital for several days.

“The seriousness of the attack has left every one disgusted and for the present time, it is in everyone's best interest to give the family some space.”

Darling was a sensation at the 2009 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Playing as a centre half-forward in a team comprising the likes of Anthony Morabito and David Swallow, he helped lead Western Australia to victory in the carnival and was named All-Australian.

He enjoyed a solid carnival this year, playing in attack as well as on the ball, although opinions are varied as to how high he will be selected in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.