North Launceston premiership player Jackson Callow will make his AFL debut on Saturday as Hawthorn face Melbourne.
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Picked up in the mid-season draft from SANFL side Norwood after moving to South Australia last year, the 19-year-old will mark the occasion on the MCG.
In an interview shared on Hawthorn's social media channels. Callow spoke about the shock of being selected when pulled aside by coach Sam Mitchell.
"I was stunned, I didn't expect anything like that so I'm over the moon right now," he said.
"I was a bit speechless, I think a tear rolled down my eye ... it was just a really good moment."
His debut comes after being named in the Hawks' extended squad last week for their UTAS Stadium clash, with the side missing fellow tall timber Mitch Lewis, Ben McEvoy and Ned Reeves.
While he predominantly played in key position roles in the TSL, the former St Patrick's College student has been rubbing shoulders with the VFL's tallest of late.
"I've been playing a fair bit of ruck and key forward, rotating between the two," he said.
"I'm probably [playing] as a second ruckman, I'm not very tall compared to some of the other rucks so we'll see what happens this weekend but I can't believe I'm in the side."
With his debut unveiled publicly before the full team announcements, the Hawks' head of football Rob McCartney spoke highly of the Tasmanian.
"Jackson's story is one of perseverance. He has made many sacrifices to get this opportunity and we couldn't be happier for him," McCartney said.
"He left his family in Tasmania to play in the SANFL after being overlooked in the national draft. Through hard work, his game developed and we selected him in the mid-season draft in 2021.
"He has continued to improve at VFL level and now gets his opportunity to make his AFL debut."
Adding to the praise was AFL Tasmania's talent operations lead for the North, Nathan Warren.
"Jackson has natural tricks but has continued to work at his game and deserves the opportunity," he said.
"I'm sure I speak for everyone who has been part of his footballing journey in saying that we're very proud of him and can't wait to cheer him on this weekend and into the future."
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