Sam Butler will make his debut for Hawthorn this weekend, but had to putt for his spot after being set up by his teammates.
Picked at #23 in the 2021 National Draft, Butler will likely play as a small forward after pushing his case in the VFL for the first month of the season, including 15 touches and three goals last weekend against Essendon.
Teammate Mitchell Lewis, who will return from a hamstring injury to face the Tigers, explained the challenge made to Butler by Luke Breust.
"Butsy' is a pretty keen golfer, so we got him putting into a little cup in the theatre," explained Lewis.
"For the last putt, he put it about a foot away from the hole, and we said 'if you hole this putt, you're making your debut this week.
"It would've been awkward if he missed it, but luckily he holed it."
Butler is the fourth debutant of the season for Hawthorn, who have exceeded expectations so far in 2022.
Lewis said that the injection of young talent has been a benefit for the club.
"Any time (young players) pull on the jumper for Hawthorn in an AFL setting, it gives them experience, and hopefully confidence as well."
Only Jai Serong is yet to debut from Hawthorn's 2021 National Draft crop, with fellow 2021 National Draft selections Josh Ward and Connor MacDonald having held roles under Sam Mitchell across the opening eight rounds of the season.
