HAWTHORN has added Irishman Conor Glass to its list, with the 18-year-old signing on as an International Category B rookie.
A talented Gaelic footballer, Glass has won three Ulster club minor titles with the Watty Graham team, as well as two MacRory crowns and a Hogan Cup victory with St Patrick's, Maghera.
Glass hails from Maghera in Northern Ireland and has been on the Hawks’ radar for the past few years.
He said he was looking forward to the challenge of being an AFL footballer.
“I’m very excited,” he told hawthornfc.com.au.
“Coming from a small town back in Ireland to a big city in Melbourne, it’s an unbelievable experience and hopefully I can get the most out of it.”
He said the biggest challenge would be adapting his skills to a new game.
“The kicking’s come fine, and all the attributes like the running and the tackling, but it’s just more the style of the football,” he said.
“It’s getting used to the type of the play and the stoppages. Gaelic’s more free flowing, but AFL’s more stop-start, with clearances and stuff like that so that’s probably the most different bit about it.”
Glass has already made three trips to the club, getting to know the coaching staff and his new teammates.
“Everyone’s been really supportive since I got here, and they’ve really helped my progress in becoming an AFL footballer,” he said.
Standing at 189 centimetres and boasting excellent skills on both sides of his body, Glass is a likely utility prospect for the Hawks.
Hawthorn Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright said the Irishman is an exciting pick up for the club.
“Conor has been on our radar for some time now and we are thrilled that he is finally a Hawthorn player,” he said.
“He is a good mark of the round ball and has shown great skills on both side of his body.
“Now it will be a matter of him honing these skills with an oval ball and learning the game of AFL,” Wright said.
The 18-year-old joins New Zealander Shem Tatupu as one of two International Category B rookies on the Hawks’ list, with former International Category B rookie Kurt Heatherley upgraded to the senior list at the end of the 2015 season.
Glass is currently undertaking his high school studies and is due to graduate in June 2016.
Hawthorn and Glass will work together to arrange a date for his relocation to Australia following the completion of his studies.
RELATED
Test your trade and draft knowledge
Season review: Ryan Schoenmakers
