FINLAY Yeo knows his record-breaking agility test this year is not the thing that will get him drafted to an AFL club, but he hopes the way he has applied that weapon in his game through an impressive 2026 will do the trick. 

A fast and high leaping small forward/midfielder out of Fremantle's Next Generation Academy, Yeo was the star of the State Combine in Perth last month when he broke the agility test record with a time of 7.53 seconds, taking the mantle from one of his favourite players, Greater Western Sydney speedster Darcy Jones (7.77 seconds). 

A student of the way Jones plays the game, as well as Hawthorn superstar Nick Watson and retired Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski, the 172cm Yeo said his Combine performance was the "icing on the cake" in a year that saw him represent Western Australia and win a colts premiership with East Fremantle. 

Showing AFL clubs that he knows how to use his speed and agility to impact games in big moments was the key, and something that the X-factor player achieved with his ability to break through congestion, have scoreboard impact, and even take big marks inside 50. 

"It's pretty good having that as a weapon and I feel like I showed my agility in the games I played," Yeo told AFL.com.au ahead of next week's Telstra AFL Draft. 

"The footy is what's going to get you drafted at the end of the day, not an agility test, so I think it was just the icing on the cake. 

"Using those strengths of mine has been really helpful in my footy journey, and you can see the way that players like Nick Watson really use it now in the AFL. 

"The main ways I use my agility are to break away from my opponent, move either side, but then also just being able to use those quick steps in congestion or at a stoppage."

Yeo has emerged as the pick of Fremantle's NGA talent this season, qualifying for the club's Academy through his Singaporean descent and creating plenty of buzz with moments like his spectacular mark with East Fremantle's colts last August. 

The 18-year-old has had to fight for his position in the draft pack, however, after being repeatedly overlooked for state teams until finally making the WA summer squad at the end of last year. 

That gave Yeo a platform to launch into his colts season, averaging 21 disposals and kicking nine goals across 10 games for the premiers and earning selection in the Team of the Year.

DRAFT HUB Click here for the latest draft news

His standout game came against Swan Districts in round 20, bringing all his assets together to have 30 disposals, eight marks and four goals in a complete individual performance and dominant team win. 

For WA, Yeo played all four matches at the national championships and particularly impressed against the Allies with 16 disposals and two goals. 

The key to his season was knuckling down on his running, repeat efforts and endurance during the pre-season, spending 10 weeks with Fremantle during the summer and picking the brain of Switkowski.

"I had a few little few chats with 'Switta', and [then-forwards coach] Jaymie Graham was very helpful with some of the positioning stuff and just little tips as well," Yeo said. 

"It was just great to observe how they go about it, because they're just so good at what they do.

"You have access to so many coaches, and Roger Hayden was the main one for me, and it really makes you want to be able to get out there and work harder, and it fuels a fire inside you."

A Fremantle fan growing up, Yeo has always watched Switkowski closely and was impressed by the forward's knowledge and temperament during his training stint with the Dockers. 

Yeo's own coaches say the commerce student, who has also spent this year working in a sports shop, has similar traits to the retired Freo favourite with his ability to learn all team structures and lead through example. 

DRAFT ORDER Click here for the full draft order

Watching smaller players like Switkowski, Jones and Watson make a big impact in the AFL has always encouraged Yeo, who said he had never let doubts about his size impact his own belief in his ability.  

"I love being a small player because I just love being able to prove people wrong," Yeo said. 

"Being a smaller player, people think, 'Oh, he's not going to be as strong' or whatnot, but then when you come out and can put the jets on or break a tackle and run around them, I think that's pretty special. 

"People always used to say, 'Oh, you're pretty small', but it's never really been a doubt in my mind because you see the likes of Nick Watson nowadays and that's someone that you can look up to and try to model your game off. 

"I never really took it to heart because I knew that I could put my best foot forward, and my best was pretty good."

As we improve the quality of the AFL Live App experience and tailor it to your needs, from Monday November 16, 2026, you’ll need to log into the AFL Live App with your free AFL iD to enjoy the best AFL news, video, highlights, expert opinion and more. Sign up for your free AFL iD here.