Hawthorn is set to unleash a trio of talented recruits this Sunday, with Karl Amon, Fergus Greene and Lloyd Meek named to make their club debuts against Essendon at the MCG.
Amon committed to the Hawks as an unrestricted free agent last September after nine seasons at Port Adelaide, choosing to join the brown and gold upon a return to his home state of Victoria.
The 27-year-old will play his first game for Hawthorn at the peak of his powers following a career-best season, where he topped his former club’s Brownlow vote-getters, after averaging just shy of 24 disposals per game.
General Manger of Football Rob McCartney said Amon’s influence on the club’s young list can’t be understated.
“Karl has made a sizeable impact since walking through the doors here at Hawthorn,” McCartney said.
“Aside from his obvious elite playing ability, Karl has really bought into the exciting journey we are on after committing to the club in his move back to Melbourne.”
25-year-old Greene inked a deal with the Hawks as a delisted free agent in November, coincidently turning his back on a job selling pens for a second chance at the top level.
The crafty goal-kicker joined a growing list of graduates from the Box Hill-Hawthorn connection, after dominating at VFL level for the past two seasons.
“We are incredibly thrilled Fergus has earned another opportunity at AFL, it is thoroughly deserved having gone back and worked hard at his game with Box Hill,” McCartney said.
“With Fergus making his club debut for Hawthorn, it just solidifies the strength of the partnership with the Box Hill program in serving as a genuine development pathway.
“Fergus is now one of five players from Box Hill currently on our list, taking our tally to 17 recruits through the alignment since its inception in 2000.”
Meek landed at Hawthorn in October after the Hawks struck a deal to secure the ruckman’s services following wide-spread interest across the league.
The 203cm giant will be thrust into greater opportunity in the brown and gold, having begun his career in the west with Fremantle, playing 15 games.
“Having been a player in high demand during the trade period, we were delighted Lloyd wanted to come to Hawthorn to elevate his career,” McCartney said.
“At just 24 years of age, Lloyd is a ready-made ruckman and has been a valuable addition to our ruck stocks - we are very confident he will make the most of his role.”
Hawthorn will release its full squad ahead of the clash against Essendon tonight at 6.20pm, before the final team is announced Friday at 5pm.
