Hawthorn is set to unleash its second debutant of the season this Sunday with father-son recruit Calsher Dear to represent the brown and gold for the first time.
The 18-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his late father and 1991 Norm Smith Medallist Paul Dear in pulling on the famous Hawthorn guernsey, 28 years since his last game.
After joining the club with Pick 56 in last year’s national draft, Dear has shown exciting promise while playing for Box Hill in the VFL, with the athletic 195cm key forward averaging 1.8 goals and four marks from his five appearances.
Executive General Manager of Football Rob McCartney said Dear’s deserved debut would be a special one.
“There is no doubt that playing your first game at AFL level is a truly special moment, the energy and excitement it creates for the player and all those closest to them is obvious. This weekend Calsher gets to experience this wonderful emotion as he pulls on the brown and gold for the first time just as his father, Paul did in 1987,” McCartney said.
“Calsher has strung together some impressive games for Box Hill in the first 5 games of the season, displaying his unique aerial skills in attack, whilst consistently hitting the scoreboard.
“As an 18-year-old key-position player we know Calsher is a developing talent and whilst we need to be patient we’re excited to see him take his first step at AFL level.”
