Hawthorn calls up Dandenong Stingrays hopeful Will Bravo

Stingrays speedster Will Bravo has been training with Casey Demons but he’ll hit the track with the Hawks from next Monday.

Will Bravo gets away a handball for the Stingrays in 2019.

Hawthorn has called up Dandenong Stingrays speedster Will Bravo as a potential pre-season addition to its list.

The 19-year-old has been training with VFL club Casey Demons.

Yesterday the Hawks added Bravo to their train-on squad as they assess players to fill a list vacancy on their list created by the retirement of former Stingrays No 1 draft selection Tom Scully.

He’ll start with them next Monday.

The Stingrays had promoted Bravo and Clayton Gay as their best hopes for last year’s national and rookie drafts.

After they were overlooked the club said both would return to the Rays as 19-year-old players and potential VFL selections.

“One person’s misfortune is another person’s fortune, and it’s great news for Will,’’ Stingrays coach Nick Cox said this morning.

“It just goes to show how close he was to being taken last year.

“He’s looking forward to it and I’m sure all the work he’s doing away from football might pay off for him. Whatever happens it will be a great experience for him and he’ll be better for it, working under one of the best coaches in the land.’’

Bravo was in the Vic Country hub ahead of the 2020 NAB League Boys season that never went ahead.

Deakyn Smith on the go for the Stingrays.

Cox described him as “powerful, strong, kicks the ball reasonably well … exciting prospect with ball in hand, uses it quite well and shows some electrifying speed’’.

Fellow Stingray Deakyn Smith is also training at an AFL club.

He’s been with Melbourne since Christmas.

Smith played NAB League and for Caulfield Grammar in 2019. He was also part of the Melbourne Next Generation Academy.

“We’ve always thought there’s plenty of scope for improvement with him,’’ Cox said.

“Obviously 2020 didn’t help him, not being able to play, but Melbourne’s identified him as someone worth looking at.’’

Gay, Kobi George, Ryan Koo Kwet Kim and Bryce Milford are training at Casey Demons, and Bayley Welsh, Jordan Andrews, Henry Berenger and Harry O’Sullivan are at Frankston Dolphins.