That’s high praise from a five-time Hampden league premiership player.

Hinkley himself was just happy to play a part against Camperdown on Saturday.

"It was a good team to debut for because they are good and they find you the ball,” he said.

"It was a pretty good win too, so it was nice to be part of that.”

Hinkley arrived at Victoria Park in the pre-season after playing his junior football for Warrnambool-based club Hawks.

The Greater Western Victoria under 16 player is nearing the end of his first term as a boarder at Ballarat Grammar and commutes back to the south-west to play for the Saints.

"It's a really good club with good coaches all through the grades and the players welcomed me at training,” he said.

A six foot two – Hinkley is also a member of Warrnambool Seahawks’ junior basketball program – he can play a variety of positions.

He embraced a wing role in his Hampden league debut after playing his juniors at centre half-forward.

Hinkley is working on his endurance as he strives to make a TAC Cup list in 2018.

"It's a really big goal next year to make (Greater Western Victoria Rebels’) under 18s as a bottom-ager and see how I go,” he said.

"I think moving up here has helped me out. I am training with them at the moment in the under 18s two nights a week.

“It helps get you under their nose.”