The Hawks are celebrating grassroots sport in Round 7, hawthornfc.com.au has jumped on board, highlighting a pathway story from one of our Hawks stars each day.
Hailing from Temora in the Riverina area of New South Wales, Luke Breust divided his childhood between Rugby League and AFL, playing football alongside Isaac Smith at junior club Temora Kangaroos.
Up until the age of 16, Breust heavily favoured pursuing a career in Rugby League, even gaining a trial with the North Queensland Cowboys.
But it was at this point that more opportunities within Australian football began to present themselves. Breust was selected as part of the NSW under 18s side before being invited to play with the Sydney Swans reserves.
It was there that Breust would win a premiership in 2007 alongside AFL players including Nick Smith, Jesse White and Heath Grundy.
Overlooked by the Swans as a local selection, Breust was invited to train with the Hawks, before being selected at pick 47 in the rookie draft.
Five Flashbacks with Luke
What Junior club did you play for?
Temora Kangaroos
Who was your role model growing up?
Trent Barrett
Do you keep in touch with any of your former junior club teammates?
Yes, most of them are still in Temora
What other sports did you play?
Basketball, Rugby League, Athletics, Cricket
Do you have a favourite memory from junior footy?
A mate kicked a freak goal from the pocket after I gave it to him and he had been practising them during the week at training.
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