All AFL debuts are emotional for the player’s family, but it’s a safe bet that few can compare to what awaits Calsher Dear when he runs to Hawthorn against the Bulldogs on Sunday.
Dear is the son of Paul, the 1991 Norm Smith Medalist, who died in 2022 at the age of 55 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The Hawks are urging caution with the 18-year-old, who is a 195cm key forward and averages less than two goals per game in the second division.
But given Mitchell’s first impressions of the youngster and his rise, the Hawks boss has not ruled out a continued meteoric rise after joining the team as a father-son choice last year.
Calsher Dean has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining the Hawks as a father-son pick last year
He has an incredible footy pedigree thanks to his late father Paul (pictured left), who won the Norm Smith Medal for his outstanding play in the 1991 Hawthorn grand final
“The first month of getting new recruits into your club is always very interesting because they come from different backgrounds, different levels of fitness, different levels of professionalism – he was probably, he would say, at the lower end of the scale.” , Mitchell said. said.
“The boys love to tell a story, he was in his first few weeks and he ordered this fried chicken burger right in front of me and he was just so oblivious to it.
“It was like he still had something to learn, this young guy.
“He certainly comes from a little further back and the acceleration he has now made in his growth, and to give himself a chance to play, is more than we expected when he first came to the club.”
His father cemented his status as a club legend with a breakthrough effort in the Hawks’ 1991 grand final victory over West Coast, at a time when the side was considered too old to win the flag.
Calsher (second from right) is pictured with his family. Paul (second from left) died in 2022 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, leaving the club in mourning
“Undoubtedly his greatest moment in brown and gold came on the day of the 1991 grand final, helping guide the Hawks to premiership glory,” Hawthorn said when news of his death broke.
‘Faced with going behind at the first break, Paul pulled off a stunning turnaround, collecting 26 disposals and scoring two goals in a Norm Smith Medal-winning performance.’
“In retirement, Paul’s ability to inspire extended beyond the football field as he bravely battled pancreatic cancer following his diagnosis in 2020.”
Calsher Dear comes in with fellow forwards Mabior Chol (suspended) and Mitch Lewis (knee) missing.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell has been very impressed with Dear’s quick learning curve
Chol is serving a one-match ban for punching Sydney’s Errol Gulden, while Lewis’ return from a knee injury is listed as ‘to be confirmed’.
Paul Dear scored two goals in the 1991 grand final to help the Hawks beat West Coast by 53 points.
“This weekend Calsher will experience this beautiful emotion as he pulls on the brown and gold jersey for the first time, just as his father Paul did in 1987,” said Hawthorn football boss Rob McCartney.
“As an 18-year-old key position player, we know Calsher is a developing talent and while we must be patient, we are excited to see him take his first step at AFL level.”