Anyone who saw Cody Hirst steal the agility record off Fremantle speedster Stephen Hill at last October’s Rookie Me Combine knew the kid from Wandin North could move.

And anyone who saw nothing but a blur would not have missed the 19-year-old’s latest swift manoeuvre, with the midfielder pulling off a last-gasp trick at Monday night’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The youngster’s heart was beating out of his chest as the picks of the first mid-season draft in 26 years ticked by, but after the Swans locked in ruckman Michael Knoll via their first selection, they shocked Hirst with their final pick of the night.

Hirst says his quick feet are his chief weapon.

“My speed, my agility around the ground and my pressure when playing as a small forward are my big strengths,” Hirst told SwansTV.

“I like to use my legs if I’m up on the wing and I think my kicking is pretty good as well.”

Hirst made a name for himself at the same club that Sydney’s Ryan Clarke, Ryley Stoddart and Jack Maibaum played their junior footy, the Eastern Ranges in the newly named NAB League.

But a torrid run with injury involving his knees and collarbone limited him to just four games in season 2018.

So when Sydney National Recruiting Manager Simon Dalrymple called Hirst’s name at Monday night’s draft, his injury-plagued 2018 campaign made the moment all the more sweeter.

“It was devastating to have a year like that,” Hirst said.

“Everyone wants to go into their top-age year with a good chance and I had that, but then a few injuries set me back. I tried to get myself right for the pre-season and coming into Round 1 I thought I was ready, and I performed pretty well during the NAB League earlier this year. 

“It all happened pretty quickly on the night and the Swans obviously took me with their last pick, so it was really exciting.

“I was a bit emotional and so was mum and everyone else because we had waited for so long. It was just awesome.”

Sydney welcomed six players when the AFL had last held a mid-season draft in 1993, with Matthew Ahmat, Aldo Dipetta, James Little, Jamie Grant, Phil Rowston and Brad Hardie the picks of the recruitment team.

A single-minded Hirst now has a chance of his own 26 years later.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in,” Hirst said.

“I’m so determined. I’ve been waiting for this since I was a little kid, so I can’t wait to get out on the track and showcase my skills.”