While Norwood and North Launceston football clubs hit the national spotlight on Wednesday, Jackson Callow's junior club - Prospect Hawks - still remained proud of their latest AFL recruit.
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Becoming the fourth Prospect player to make an AFL list after the Kolodjashnij twins, Jake and Kade (2013), and former NTJFA best and fairest Tarryn Thomas (2018), Callow was selected by Hawthorn with pick 17 of the mid-season rookie draft.
"Jackson was with us for three seasons and he was a fantastic contributor," said vice-president Daniel Smedley, who has followed Callow's journey throughout.
"He was captain of our under-14 premiership team and was also a player in the under-13 premiership team that we had back in '15 and '16, so he was a very valued member of the group there.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
"We couldn't be prouder, it's just great to see boys coming through a local community club pathway and going through to the AFL, it just inspires everyone in the club - not only the volunteers, but most definitely the younger players."
After the grand finals, Callow played the 2017 season at Prospect before moving to North Launceston.
Despite his short tenure at the junior entity, he's still a role model for the club and St Patrick's College students.
"A lot of our players come from St Patrick's College, so they are aware of him through that school network and the fact that he's been involved with our junior club is really inspirational to them," Smedley said.
"They can see how much work he's put in and he's taken his opportunities, every time that something's been put in front of him he's gone 'righto, how do I get across this and take the next step'.
"All of young blokes are inspired by that and we reinforce it actually, because if they want to go to the next level, even if it's just to State League level, they need to be able to take those steps as well."
In a unique twist, Hawthorn picking up Callow keeps the 18-year-old with his junior club moniker of the Hawks.
His selection also guaranteed a Tasmanian on the list for the first time since 2019, when Grant Birchall deferred to Brisbane and Tim Mohr retired.
"It's a great connection that Hawthorn's picked him up," Smedley said.
CALLOW CRAZY
"Our footy club obviously has a strong affiliation and passion for Hawthorn and we really value what they've done in Tasmania and it's fantastic that they've picked up a Tasmanian boy.
"I think that it's a good fit for them but also a really positive fit for us as well.
"We really wish him well, he's got a really strong desire to do the best he can, so I'm sure he'll have a really great AFL career."