Heading to the MCG for your first Hawks game is a memory that you treasure for your whole life.

On Saturday, Ethan Brandon from Austin, Texas, saw his first ever live game of AFL football when the Hawks took on the Magpies at the MCG on Saturday.

Ethan, a fan of the Hawks since 2007, introduced to the Hawks by his partner Darren, has only ever watched Hawks games on DVD and on television.

2012 is the first year that Ethan has been a member of the Hawthorn Football Club and arranged his 3 week stay in Melbourne to include the Hawks blockbusters against Collingwood, Essendon and Geelong.

Ethan was the #1 Fan for Round 17 and said he is appreciative of the opportunity.

“To be given this opportunity to be the #1 Fan is something I could have only imagined when coming out here to Australia," he said.

"I cannot be more appreciative for this opportunity."

Over the course of the 2012 season, one special Hawks fan is selected each week by the Club to pull on the No.1 guernsey and help the team prepare for the upcoming game.

Each #1 Fan receives their very own 2012 guernsey with #1 printed on the back to denote their special place in the side.

At the final training session on Friday before the match, Ethan ran water on the oval to the players, had a chat with senior coach Alastair Clarkson and had a group photo with the playing squad.

Ethan said his experience as the #1 Fan was "amazing".

"Speaking one-on-one with the players I’ve only ever seen on television was an amazing experience," he said.

"All of the players were so genuine and interested in what I had to say.

"It was so much fun."

Ethan was able to celebrate the Hawks win with other Hawthorn fans, something he has never been able to do before.

"To celebrate and cheer with other Hawks fans in such an awesome atmosphere was something I’ll never forget," Ethan said.

"To win and play the way we did was incredible.

"The #1 Fan experience made the moment even more special after meeting the players at training on Friday and then to see them prepare in the rooms before the game.

"I’m so grateful to the Club for the experience."