Hawthorn will hand an Easter Monday debut to first year player Jack Dalton.
It comes off the back of a strong start to the VFL season, with 27 disposals, six tackles and a goal in Round 1 after strong practice match form.
He was selected by Hawthorn with Pick 34 in the 2025 AFL Draft, noted for his ball-winning and hard-running.
“His composure with ball in hand is what's gone through the roof (late in the year) and we spoke a lot about looking short and trying to hit shorter targets and he's a nice neat kick technically and through the back end of pre-season we were going to work on it before the injury but we've just had a chance to start doing it now,” his Sandringham Dragons coach Rob Harding tol Zero Hanger last year.
“He's very coachable Jack, he comes every week, does edits with me, is right across his game, knows what he's doing and he's seen the benefits of using the ball better in transition and times when he can get one two three four possessions in a chain to use his running power to run and overlap, I think that's been the bit of his game that's grown most on-field.”
“For Jack to realise his AFL dream and don the brown and gold guernsey for the first time on Easter Monday will be a special moment,” Executive General Manager of Football Rob McCartney said.
“Since being drafted just a few months ago, Jack has shown a real appetite for hard work and has impressed with his strong running power and desire to compete.
“We're delighted to see Jack earn his first opportunity at AFL level and are confident he can play his role on Easter Monday.”
