Hawthorn’s Harry Morrison earns Round 20 Rising Star nomination

HAWTHORN’S newest Rising Star might come from a rich football pedigree, but his path to becoming one of the game’s brightest talents wasn’t always set in stone.

HARRY Morrison walked to his backyard in Benalla and called Annette Judge, the wife of the late Ken Judge.

The Round 20 Rising Star had just been drafted by Hawthorn, the club where Ken won a premiership and later coached.

“We didn’t say anything for 10-15 seconds, we just soaked up the moment,” Morrison said.

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“It was pretty special. In terms of my footy journey, they were huge.

“They used to come over (from WA) Grand Final week every year and we’d sit down and watch the Brownlow together.

“I’d hang off every word (Ken) said. One of the last things he said was just go and make it, and that he wishes that he could stick around for it.

“On the phone, I was speechless. Even thinking about it now, it was pretty special.”

Hawthorn's Harry Morrison is the Round 20 Rising Star. Pic: Michael Klein

Ken Judge was Morrison’s godfather growing up and his own family has always adored the Sherrin.

Morrison’s brother and dad played footy, his cousin, Tom Rockliff, is Port Adelaide’s star recruit and his grandpa, Brian Morrison, played six games for Richmond in 1960.

That is why Morrison plays on instinct. On Saturday, it showed.

In the second quarter, Morrison affected a deft — and look-away — intercept on Brendon Goddard and then handballed to Luke Breust, who nailed a long goal during the Hawks’ fightback.

“It’s good doing that in front of 70,000, it gets the confidence up,” Morrison said.

“It probably goes to playing on instinct, really. I’ve played footy ever since I could walk and I play my best footy when I don’t think.

“When I overthink I go into my shell. (Saturday) was the most impact I’ve had in a while.”

Morrison was Hawthorn’s first draft pick in 2016 — all the way back at No.74.

It was a selection received as part of the Sam Mitchell trade and, after 17 promising games, it looks a smart choice.

Harry Morrison gets a handball away in front of Brendon Goddard. Pic: Getty Images

Morrison, 19, shut down Jason Johannisen in Round 16, keeping the Norm Smith Medallist to seven possessions in the second half after 25 in the first.

“As Clarko would say, I stuck a finger in his back and didn’t really leave his side,” Morrison said.

But at 15, Morrison’s AFL dream took a hits. He spent 13-14 months recovering from a ruptured ACL, suffered during Vic Country’s final Under-16 trial match on the Gold Coast.

For inspiration, Morrison turned to Rockliff.

“I was in Grade 4 when he got drafted to Brisbane and he’s been unreal,” Morrison said.

“He always used to come home and take me for a kick. It was always good having someone in the system I could ask questions to.

“The main thing that sticks out is his resilience — he’s overcome a fair bit of adversity.”

Morrison — who lives in Richmond with James Cousins and Mitch Lewis — returned from knee surgery to play in Benalla’s Under-18 flag and remembers being in awe when he joined the Hawks.

“I still remember having a kick with Hodgey in one of my first sessions, just before it started. I was so nervous — I didn’t want to miss a kick,” Morrison said.

“I thought he’d be judging and critiquing me.”

Morrison joins James Sicily, Ryan Burton and Blake Hardwick as recent Rising Stars for Hawthorn.

But his selection means No.2 draft pick Andrew Brayshaw, who collected 16 disposals from 41 per cent game time on Sunday, will cruelly miss out.

The young Docker will join full-forwards Josh Schache and Paddy McCartin as the only top-three picks since 2012 to be overlooked.

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