AFL: Hawthorn draftee Jackson Callow lands at new home

Nabbed by Hawthorn in Wednesday's mid-season draft, Tasmania's newest AFL player arrived in Melbourne at 11pm on Thursday night and trained with his new club on Friday morning.

"It's been so quick and I don't think it's all sunk in just yet," the soon-to-be-19-year-old said.

"It felt really good out there, the team got around me and the coaches - it was good to be back at the club, I was there for a month earlier in the year and no-one's forgotten me.

"They were really welcoming and I was so excited - you can't wipe the smile off my face."

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Considered one of the unluckiest to miss selection in last year's national and rookie drafts, Callow doubled down at his new home in the SANFL.

"This time I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed if I didn't get picked," he said.

"I knew that I was enjoying where I was and learning a lot at Norwood with Jade [Rawlings].

"When my name did get read out I was just jumping with excitement.

"I was watching it with my host family and my Mum, she flew over and at the same time I was on the phone to my girlfriend and my brother and my Dad.

"Everyone was so happy for me and for us - we're all a team and it took us all to get there and we're all so happy it's finally happened."

Getting a contract at Hawthorn is a dream come true for Callow, and it could be just as beneficial for the Hawks.

Since 2000, the Hawks have gone just two years - 2004 and 2020 - without a Tasmanian on their list.

The 15th-placed finishes in those two seasons are the club's worst campaigns this century, with the club finishing in the top 11 in every other season bar one.

After missing out on joining the Hawks in the pre-season supplemental selection period, Callow gave the club no option but to pick him in the mid-season draft after a stellar start to the SANFL season.

"There was a few things that they wanted me to go away and work on, they thought that if I could better myself with that I'd be ready to go and be on their list," the 18-year-old said.

"The feedback I've had is that I've gone away and got stuck into those few things I had to work on in my footy.

"I'm a lot lighter now body-wise and also I feel like I've bettered myself as a football player and as a person since I've been at the club and that's why they've taken me."

Callow has been surrounded by Hawks in 2021.

After training at Waverley Park in February, Callow returned to Norwood to play under 100-gamer and fellow Tasmanian tall Jade Rawlings and alongside three-time flag forward Paul Puopolo.

"Jade's been indescribable, he's been there for me on and off the field this year - [he's the] best coach I've ever had," Callow said.

"On the field he's showed me so many new things to better my game, he's probably the hardest coach I've ever had.

"Off the field as a person Jade and I are family friends and have a side to our friendship outside of football that we've continued to grow during the year. To see where it's taken us has been something I'll never forget."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Callow spent three seasons at North Launceston before joining Norwood this year.

Like fellow recent Bombers alumni Tarryn Thomas, Rhyan Mansell and Jay Lockhart, Callow remains in close contact with his former teammates at UTAS Stadium.

When Victoria emerges from lockdown, he will join 2019 premiership coach and Casey assistant Taylor Whitford in the VFL.

"I spoke to a lot of previous players and coaches - I've spoken to Taylor Whitford and Brad Cox-Goodyer," the former St Patrick's College student said.

"I've played with them for the last three years and been really close with them - Taylor's been my best coach all through my junior career and still is probably one of the best coaches I've had.

"I'm still in contact with him and same with Brad - he's now the coach of North Launny and he's doing an amazing job with the young group of boys down there.

"I've learned a lot off both of them and I'm thankful for the opportunity I've had and it's really good to have those sort of blokes still contacting you and being a part of your success."

A huge 12 months has packed in injuries, grand finals, drafts, interstate moves and finally, an AFL list spot.

Callow credits his huge year of development to his Tasmanian support network.

"I'd just like to thank all my family and my girlfriend especially," Callow said.

"Sally's been my biggest supporter and I couldn't have done it without her - same as my Mum and Dad and my little brother Toby, they've been my biggest supporters.

"Mum taking me to all my games and my Dad telling me what I've got to do better and being supportive.

"I want to thank them all - and Norwood and Hawthorn for the amazing opportunities I've been given this year."

Do you know someone who is contributing to Northern Tasmanian sport, whether through participating or assisting?

The Examiner's Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by Woolworths, provide acknowledgement of accomplishments by players, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs across the region.

Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.

Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.