AFL Hall of Fame inductee Simon Black has revealed Hawthorn showed the most interest in drafting him back in 1997.
The 2003 Brownlow medallist was taken by the Brisbane Lions with pick 31 and went on to play 322 games and win three premierships with the club.
Drafted out of East Fremantle, Black said West Coast showed some interest in him, but the Hawks is where he thought he would end up.
“Leg speed was such a thing particularly in the mid-to-late 90s. I remember back then all the recruiters were trying to almost turn athletes into footballers, somewhat,” Black said on SEN Breakfast.
“I was never quick, I guess my athletic strength was just covering the ground, the endurance side of it.
“I was a Perth boy, West Coast was my team growing up and I was really keen and they showed a little bit of interest. I did a 40-metre speed test through the gates and they were after a certain time and I knew I was never going to get it.
“They said, ‘Look mate, if you are there later in the draft we might consider you’.
“I actually thought Hawthorn was the club, if I had to pick one, that showed the most interest.
“Ken Judge was the coach of the Hawks at the time and he was a former East Fremantle coach, where I played. I met with him and he showed bit of interest but it was Kinnear Beatson and the Lions in the end.”
Black retired in 2013, also claiming three All Australians and three best and fairests across his storied career.
