Hawthorn father-son prospect Finn Maginness an AFL draft bolter likened to Sydney’s Josh Kennedy
His AFL aspirations were on the rocks at the start of the season, but Hawthorn father-son prospect Finn Maginness has turned them around — with a little from a Hawthorn favourite son: his father Scott.
Hawthorn
Don't miss out on the headlines from Hawthorn. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brown and gold runs through Finn Maginness’s veins.
His father Scott played in two premierships for Hawthorn, Jason Dunstall is a regular visitor to the family’s Brighton home and the father-son prospect has seen three Hawthorn premierships live from the stands of the MCG.
A big-bodied and strong-running midfielder, Maginness has his fingers crossed the Hawks will snap him up in November’s AFL national draft.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
But the 18-year-old accepts that is no given as his stocks continue to rise.
“The Hawks would be the dream destination for sure,” Maginness said.
“I’ve loved the club, loved the time I’ve spent there and it would be a dream come true to go there. But obviously it’s not the reality. Other clubs are there to pick me as well so if I went somewhere else I’d be stoked as well.”
Maginness has trained with Hawthorn multiple times this year and has shot up the draft order since being overlooked in the initial Vic Metro squad — a moment that made him “more hungry”.
The Sandringham Dragons hard-nut went on to play all four games of the under-18 national championships, averaging the second-most inside 50s, fifth-most pressure points and third-most tackles of any midfielder at the tournament.
MORE NEWS:
AFL DRAFT: 20 OF THE TOP PROSPECTS IN 2019
BLOODLINES: THE FAMILIAR NAMES IN THIS YEAR’S DRAFT
“Compared to last year, I’ve definitely got more belief in myself and more confidence,” Maginness said.
“Dad’s always had enormous belief in me and sometimes when my confidence isn’t really high he’s always there to boost me. He just tries to get the best out of me by making me believe in myself.”
Likened to former Hawthorn father-son turned Sydney skipper Josh Kennedy, Maginness finished second in the 2km time trial at the draft combine, recorded the sixth-best time in the 20m sprint and placed equal-seventh in the yoyo test.
And the good news for Hawthorn fans is his regular surfing partner and younger brother Ned, 14, is shaping as another hot father-son prospect in 2023.
“He’s definitely better than I was when I was his age,” Maginness said.
“So if that’s any indication, hopefully watch out for him over the next couple of years.”
Originally published as Hawthorn father-son prospect Finn Maginness an AFL draft bolter likened to Sydney’s Josh Kennedy