Every AFL debut is emotional for the player’s family, but it’s a sure bet that few can compare to what awaits Calsher Dear when he goes out on a run with Hawthorn against the Bulldogs on Sunday.
Dear is the son of 1991 Norm Smith Medalist Paul, who died in 2022 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at age 55.
The Hawks are urging caution with the 18-year-old, who is a 195cm key forward averaging less than two goals per game in the second-tier competition.
But given Mitchell’s initial impressions of the youngster and his emergence, the Hawks boss is not ruling out a continued rapid rise after he joined the team as a father-son selection in last year’s draft.
Calsher Dean has had a rapid rise through the ranks since joining the Hawks as a father-son pick in last year’s draft.
He has an incredible football pedigree, courtesy of his late father Paul (pictured left), who won the Norm Smith Medal for his excellent play in the Hawthorn grand final in 1991.
“The first month, when you get new recruits into your club, it’s always really interesting because they come from different backgrounds, different levels of fitness, different levels of professionalism – I was probably, I would say, at the lower end of understanding,” Mitchell said.
‘Boys love to tell a story, he was in his first few weeks and ordered this fried chicken burger right in front of me and didn’t notice.
“It was like this young man had something to learn.”
“He definitely comes from a little further back and now the acceleration he’s had in his growth and giving himself the opportunity to play is more than we would have expected when he first came to the club.”
His father cemented his status as a club legend with a decisive effort in the Hawks’ 1991 grand final win over West Coast at a time when the team 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.
“Arguably his finest hour in the brown and gold came on Grand Final day in 1991, helping to drag the Hawks to premiership glory,” Hawthorn said when news of his death broke.
“Facing a deficit at the first break, Paul inspired 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 without fellow props Mabior Chol (suspended) and Mitch Lewis (knee).
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell was very impressed with Dear’s rapid learning curve.
Chol is serving a one-match ban for hitting 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 experiences this wonderful emotion as he puts on the brown and gold for the first time, just as his father, Paul, did in 1987,” Hawthorn head of football Rob McCartney said.
“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.”