It was in just his third game of senior football with Tasmanian club North Launceston that Seth Campbell produced one of the best-ever performances by a young player in the TSL competition.

Playing against North Hobart at North Hobart Oval late in the 2022 home-and-away season, the clever forward, who has been likened to veteran Hawthorn star Luke Breust, racked up 32 disposals and kicked 10 goals (10.6).

That dazzling display catapulted the 17-year-old into AFL draft calculations.

As it turned out, he wasn’t selected in the 2022 AFL national draft held late last month, but Richmond swooped to secure his services a day later with its first pick (No. 12 overall) in the rookie draft.

Campbell had been a key player for the Tassie Devils in the NAB League under-19 competition during the 2022 season, averaging 19 disposals, 4.7 inside-50s and over a goal per game in 13 appearances. He had also gained selection in the Allies team for the under-18 championships.

Despite Campbell’s impressive form, he initially wasn’t invited to attend the AFL draft Combine.

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Subsequently, however, he received a late call-up – and that slice of good news proved to be the catalyst for his fantastic feat against North Hobart.

“I didn’t get selected for the combine earlier that week, and then I got a call from “Jez” (Tassie Devils coach and former Richmond player Jeromey Webberley) to say, ‘Mate, you’ve been invited to the Combine’, and I was stoked,” Campbell told the The Mercury newspaper.

“It just felt like the pressure was off to perform in my next game. So, I went in on the Saturday and was able to play off instinct.

“I went into that last quarter and the boys were telling me I’d kicked eight (goals), but it didn’t feel real.

“I wasn’t counting, I was too busy enjoying my footy, but it felt great to finish with 10.”