Every train-on player for the AFL supplementary selection period: Brodie McLaughlin to train with Hawthorn for SSP spot

Brodie McLaughlin says he’s ready to throw everything at the chance to revive his AFL career after receiving a surprise call to train with a premiership contender.

Brodie McLaughlin snaps a goal during VFL finals.

Just when he thought his chances of an AFL recall had passed, ace VFL goalkicker Brodie McLaughlin has caught the attention of Hawthorn.

Starting on Thursday, the 28-year-old will train with the Hawks as an SSP hopeful.

It was during the 2023 SSP period that McLaughlin, then playing at Frankston Dolphins, was put on the Gold Coast Suns’ list.

He figured in the Suns’ VFL flag and booted 55 goals but did not appear at senior level and was cut after one season.

This year he booted 71.40 for Williamstown, winning the Jim Miller Medal as leading goalkicker, helping the Towners to the finals and running third in the club best and fairest.

The 193cm McLaughlin has been a dominant force at state league level, in the past three seasons kicking 175 goals in 58 games.

Ace Williamstown goalkicker Brodie McLaughlin will get a chance to revive his AFL career. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Now he could become a two-time SSP addition, appealing as a ready-made option for Hawthorn’s forward line.

McLaughlin said this morning that the Hawks contacted him a week before the rookie draft.

“It looked like I might have been a sniff but them picking up a couple of forwards in the national draft didn’t help,’’ he said.

“Now they’ve invited me to try out. So I’m going to have a crack at Hawthorn.

“I did feel the interest (from AFL clubs) wasn’t as high as I was hoping prior to this … I wasn’t super-confident about getting a spot again. It wasn’t looking too flash and this kind of came out of nowhere. They weren’t a club I was expecting to call, just because they’ve got a quality key forward brigade as it is.

McLaughlin playing for Gold Coast in 2023. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Brodie McLaughlin after winning the VFL’s Frosty Miller Medal.

“Very grateful for the opportunity. Lucky the Hawks came knocking. If it works out, awesome. If it doesn’t, at least I was given another crack at it, one last go at it.’’

McLaughlin parted ways with Williamstown after the season and there was speculation he would drop back to local football if no AFL opportunity presented.

Brodie McLaughlin has four 🤩

🎥: Watch the Smithy’s VFL live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkSGTMpic.twitter.com/tPK0Ty2VUh

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) June 28, 2025

Brodie McLaughlin has six!

🎥: Watch the Smithy’s VFL live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App: https://t.co/3V9lTkSGTMpic.twitter.com/5FkTEjYhrQ

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) May 24, 2025

The Towners issued a statement thanking him for his “commitment, effort and professionalism’’.

The Hawks took draft slider Ollie Greeves in the rookie draft but have two list spots available.

Former Fremantle player Ethan Stanley is also set to pursue an AFL lifeline with Hawthorn after a promising season for their VFL side.

Drafted out of Box Hill with pick eight in the 2023 mid-season draft, Stanley played two games for the Dockers in 2023 before he was delisted at the end of 2024.

Stanley, 22, returned to Box Hill and averaged 16 touches as a skilful outside runner and is set to join the Hawks as a train-on player.

Carlton will invite delisted duo Elijah Hollands and Will White as train-ons as they vie to win back their spot on the Blues list.

Originally published as Every train-on player for the AFL supplementary selection period: Brodie McLaughlin to train with Hawthorn for SSP spot