South Aussie young gun Will Day loving life after joining Hawthorn at pick 13 in the 2019 AFL Draft
His grandfather Robert was a premiership player at the Hawks. Now, former West Adelaide young gun Will Day is hoping to carry on the family legacy after starting his AFL career in the brown and gold.
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South Australian youngster Will Day is already loving his time at Hawthorn, where his grandfather Robert played in the 1971 premiership.
Day, from West Adelaide, was taken with pick 13 by the Hawks and said it was an amazing feeling to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps at one of Victoria’s most famous football clubs.
“It’s been pretty surreal,” Day said on SEN SA radio.
Day said he was optimistic of finding a club despite not being invited to the draft’s opening night after averaging 26 disposals in four under-18 games for West Adelaide, playing three reserves matches along with school footy at Sacred Heart.
“It wasn’t really surprising for me, I’d had a lot of chats to the clubs inside the top 20, so I was pretty hopeful,’’ Day added.
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“I was at home and had heaps of family and friends over.
“It was a really special moment when my name was read out.”
Hawthorn showed plenty of interest early in the year before avoiding contact during the AFL Draft Combine.
“I spoke to them three times during the year, they were pretty keen at the start but then I didn’t have any contact with them until after my name was read out; they gave me a call,’’ Day said.
He added coach Alastair Clarkson had made the move to Victoria an easy one as he commences his AFL career.
“As soon as I got there he was cracking jokes and pulling out a few nick names for me,’’ Day said.
“He’s an awesome bloke, really approachable as well.”