After a hard running best on-ground performance for the West Australian under 18s side in the opening game of the national championships against South Australia, Morabito has been touted as top 10 pick at this year’s national draft.

His appearance and playing style has been compared to Sydney premiership player and duel Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes.

In the Sandgroper’s 19.12 (126) to 12.7 (79) win over the Croweaters at Subiaco Oval last Saturday the 17-year-old kicked two goals and collected 19 possessions.

His hard running along the wing made him a standout.

If all goes to plan the rangy midfield/forward could join the likes Peel exports Scott Gumbleton, Farren Ray and Daniel Wells and get picked inside the top 10 in the national AFL draft.

Involved in Peel development squads since under 14s, Morabito stands at 193cm and credits his agility for a taller player as his strength.

This year’s national carnival is the third time the boy from Harvey has represented WA after lining up in the 18s squad last year and the 16s squad in 2007.

Morabito was also a West Australian AFL/AIS Academy scholarship holder - a scholarship he received after a strong performance in the 16s carnival two years ago.

Playing football since he was five years old Morabito played all his junior football with Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault.

A lthough he was ineligible for last year’s draft because he was too young he attracted interest from Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle and West Coast scouts last year.

Morabito will again pull on the black and gold state jumper tomorrow night when WA plays Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Peel coach Chris Waterman said if Morabito kept going the way he was he expected the youngster to go early in the draft.

“He’s terrific and has been very handy for us… if he can continue to play league footy he’ll have a real impact,” he said.