Draft

1. He knows how to get the footy

With pick No.57 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft, the Kangaroos selected a powerful inside midfielder with a proven ability to win the football. Starring for Western Australia at Under-18 level in his draft year, Urquhart averaged 5.5 clearances and 21 possessions (11 contested). North Melbourne’s national recruiting and retention manager Will Thursfield liked the defensive side of Urquhart’s game, praising his tackling ability.

2. He shares a background with a star Kangaroo

An East Fremantle product, Urquhart played his junior footy at Melville JFC, the club where star forward Cam Zurhaar also got his start. Urquhart will be right at home at Arden Street among a handful of Western Australians also on the Kangaroos list, including 2023 draft selections Riley Hardeman and Robert Hansen jnr, and senior players Zurhaar, Griffin Logue and Zac Fisher.

3. Footy isn’t the only sport he excels in

While football is Urquhart’s dream, water polo was his first love and he became an accomplished junior in the pool. Unfortunately, while playing the sport he developed problems that led to serious surgery in January 2023, after it was discovered his hip was permanently dislocated. Perhaps unsurprisingly, once he had fully recovered his focus turned to footy. 

4. He’s fast for an inside mid

Told his comeback from his hip surgery would be 9-12 months, Urquhart set about finding ways to fast-track his return to full fitness. He improved his endurance by training with the Australian steeplechase team. “They flogged me, but I got a good benefit out of that,” he told Channel 9. At the 2024 Draft Combine, he clocked a top-10 time in the 2km time trial, as well as an impressive 2.98s in the 20m sprint.

5. He has leadership potential

Calm and self assured, Urquhart is the type of player who has the potential to set standards for others. When WA skipper Bo Allan was injured during the 2024 Under-18 Championships, Urquhart deputised as captain. His coach at Aquinas College was 2000 Brownlow Medalist Shane Woewodin, another East Fremantle product who has ensured Urquhart understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level.