Calsher Dear, son of 1991 Norm Smith medallist Paul Dear, has earned his call-up with impressive VFL form after joining the side as a father-son selection in last year's draft.
Paul Dear died in 2022 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Hawks are urging caution with the 18-year-old, who is a 195cm key forward averaging a tick less than two goals per game in the second-tier competition.
But it will be a special moment for Hawthorn fans on Sunday to see the son of a club champion, who comes in with fellow forward pillars Mabior Chol (suspended) and Mitch Lewis (knee) missing.
Paving his own legacy, Calsher Dear will debut this weekend against the Bulldogs — Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) �: https://t.co/IUAZLla0xz pic.twitter.com/CtbKY6b93hMay 3, 2024
"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," Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney said.
"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.
"Calsher has strung together some impressive games for Box Hill in the first five 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."
Chol is serving a one-game ban for striking Sydney's Errol Gulden, while Lewis' return from a knee injury is listed as 'to be confirmed'.
Paul Dear kicked two goals in the 1991 grand final to help the Hawks beat West Coast by 53 points.
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