Highmore’s GIANT wait for AFL debut
Canberra’s Tom Highmore will make his AFL debut this Sunday afternoon against the GIANTS, with senior coach Brett Ratten today confirming the mature-age recruit’s place in the starting line-up.
The 23-year-old, taken at pick No. 45 from last season’s draft, has impressed during his short time at RSEA Park, featuring in the club’s two pre-season games against North Melbourne and Carlton.
A product of the GIANTS Academy Program, Highmore was first touted as a potential draftee after impressing for the NSW/ACT Rams as a sixteen-year-old.
When his time in the GIANTS Academy came to an end in 2017, the Tuggeranong and Marist junior opted to continue his development with the Canberra Demons program in the NEAFL competition.
Running off half-back Highmore quickly developed a reputation as one of the NEAFL’s most consistent players, guiding Canberra to their first ever Preliminary Final in 2018, before backing up his impressive campaign with a career best season in 2019.
Promoted to the co-vice captaincy, Highmore was named in the NEAFL’s Team of the Year for the first time in his career and earnt his second consecutive Players’ Player Award.
Still harbouring the ambition to play at the highest level, Highmore opted to depart Canberra at the end of 2019, relocating to South Australia, where he signed with the South Adelaide Panthers in the SANFL.
