If you asked any Freo fan what made Hayden Young a special player, the most likely answer would be his damaging left foot kick.

But to backline assistant Matthew Boyd, the 21-year-old has so many other attributes that make him a dream to coach.

Such was Young’s talent in his draft year, he was touted as a bargain despite Fremantle investing their prized no.7 pick to get him at the 2019 National Draft.

The newly elected leader has done more than simply live up to those draft night expectations, even acting as an inspiration to the person directly charged with his development.

“You see him working so hard on every part of his game, he’s one of our most purposeful players. 

“He sets his weeks up meticulously to maximise every minute - that’s how you set standards and drive the culture within the footy club. 

“He’s in his fourth year, yet our younger and older players look at that and go ‘wow, I want to be someone like that’.”

Get on board with a 2023 Fremantle membership!

Young says he works hard on all aspects of his game, even his most elite trait.

“I feel (my kicking) is something that can help the group and benefit the team,” Young said.

“It was even the case growing up...it felt like when I brought my best to the game and I’m kicking really well, it could help the team the most. That’s why I focus on it a lot.”

To Boyd, Young’s left foot isn’t what makes him noteworthy as a player.

“Yeah, the left foot is pretty good, but what I’ll add to that is he’s a pretty good right foot for a left footer,” Boyd said.

“He’s been really diligent and purposeful in terms of the types of kicks he does on both sides of the body to make sure that he’s maximising that strength.

“He’s also as tough as they come. He's one of our toughest players and at such a young age, he stands up in the contest just about as good as any player in our team and he stands under the high balls with amazing courage.

“Internally, they’re the things that we look at, how tough he is in the contest, how reliable he is in the contest and how good he is at executing the basics of the game. 

“He just works so tirelessly at those areas of the game, there’s no wonder that his performance is really consistent.”

Get your tickets for Freo v Roos!

As Young develops, the AFL community is starting to notice, with many having the half back in their All Australian calculations.

Young is aware of the increased expectations, and he feels capable to handle them.

“I’ve heard whispers, but that’s one of the things I try and block out,” Young said. 

“Something I implemented in my game last year was having really strong routines and focusing on the process each week and playing my role. 

“At the end of the year, I was able to reflect and I was pretty happy with my season. That wasn’t achieved by thinking about results or thinking about outcomes, it was from (being) process driven and getting in good routines.  

“That’s something I want to keep doing and at the end of the year, whatever happens, happens. If we get the process right, hopefully things fall into place.”

Boyd's backline is 'dog hungry'
Brodie's big plans beyond 50 games