New Hawk Sophie Butterworth is already familiar with one of her new teammates.

The 18-year-old, who Hawthorn took with Pick 45 in Monday night’s AFLW draft, is lifelong friends with Hawks defender Mackenzie Eardley.

Their connection started at Beleura Junior Football Club before both players progressed to play with the Dandenong Stingrays. 

Once Eardley herself was drafted by the Hawks in 2022, she used the time in her off-season to take up a role as a development coach in the Stingrays program, where she coached none other than Butterworth and fellow draftee Mikayla Williamson. 

In a special moment for the Eardley and Butterworth, the former rocked up to the latter’s home moments after her name was called out to celebrate their lifelong bond continuing in the brown and gold.

“Macca and I have known each other for quite a few years,” Butterworth said.

“We’ve played junior footy together down at Beleura and then played together at Rays and we’re now here together so yeah, it’s been a massive ride for both of us.

“I just cannot wait to be lined up next to her.”

Butterworth also spoke about how meaningful it was to arrive at the Hawks alongside Stingrays teammate Williamson. 

“We’ve known each other for quite a few years,” Butterworth said.

“We’ve been together at Rays for quite a few seasons now and the friendship that we have is just going to continue to grow now that we’re together at the same club."

The vibe at Butterworth’s house was high on Monday night, with Eardley walking into a full house of ecstatic family and friends. 

Butterworth was thankful for all the support she had around her. 

“When my name got called out, everyone just jumped on me, I don’t even think I heard the last name,” she said.

“I just heard Sophie and everyone was on top of me!

“I’m waiting for someone to pinch me, I seriously feel like I’m still in a dream.

“It’s crazy to think I’m here at the Hawks.”

Butterworth is now ready to get to work in the brown and gold, with the key forward hoping to emulate a season where she booted 31 goals from 15 games in Stingrays colours before making the Coates Talent League Team of the Year.

“I’m a key forward so I love to clunk big marks, kick goals and maybe (produce) a cheeky little celebration in there as well,” she said.

The celebration Butterworth referred to was a golf swing, which she decided to run with in a game with the Stingrays earlier this year. 

“The week leading up to that game, we sort of got brought into a group at Stingrays,” the 18-year-old said.

“We went off into our forwards, mids and backs and got told to come up with a goal celebration and I came up with a golf swing.

“I’m definitely not a golfer - I think the golf club would go with the swing!”

Watch Butterworth’s full interview below.