AFL national draft 2023: Hawthorn father-son prospect Will McCabe hopeful of following in dad Luke’s footsteps

Will McCabe grew up a mad Hawthorn supporter and could join them as a father-son prospect on Monday. But will Adelaide make a play and when will that bid come?

Father-son prospect Will McCabe is finding it a little hard not to imagine himself in a Hawthorn guernsey since the club’s draft nomination of him.

McCabe, whose dad Luke played 138 games for the Hawks from 1995-2004 and was now their football director, was tipped to be bid on in the mid-to-late first round on Monday.

The lifelong Hawthorn fan emerged as South Australia’s likeliest top pick this year after promising performances as a tall defender for the state under-18s and with Central District.

Adelaide, which holds selections 10, 14 and 20, has been linked with a bid for McCabe, but the 18-year-old is unsure which club will call his name.

The Hawks’ nomination of McCabe allowed them to match rivals’ bids on him and they were expected to do so in that range.

“Clubs have to like you a lot to think about putting out a bid because more than likely I’ll end up at Hawthorn,” said McCabe, who stood 197cm and 86kg.

“I’m headed over there for the first night so I’m hoping someone (bids) in the first round, probably more towards the back end.

SA draft prospects Taylor Goad and Will McCabe. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“(Knowing Hawthorn will likely draft him) plays on your mind a little.

“When I was over there training (this year), that’s when it felt most real because you’re around the environment, putting on the training gear and going out there with them all.

“I try not to think about it as much as possible until it hopefully happens.”

McCabe’s earliest football memories were of supporting Hawthorn.

He was born the year after Luke’s career ended at the Hawks and just a few days before his Dad featured in Central District’s 2005 premiership.

McCabe was at the MCG for Hawthorn’s 2014 flag win as an eight-year-old.

“I kind of grew up in a golden era where they won all the premierships,” he said.

“Early days you fantasise about playing AFL but I kind of just went out playing footy and didn’t really think about the big picture until maybe a year or two ago.”

McCabe described his season as up and down.

The athletic, intercepting backman played nine under-18 games for Central District, one in the reserves and three for South Australia at the national under-18 championships, missing more than two months through injury.

He had a stress fracture in his left foot, then an adductor problem that prevented him from testing at the draft combine last month.

Will McCabe’s dad, Luke, during his Hawthorn days.

“The body’s close to 100 per cent now and I’m basically back to full training,” he said.

McCabe said it would be unreal to follow in his footsteps by playing for the Hawks.

His Dad had been trying “to keep a lid on it pretty heavily”, advising him to block out the extra scrutiny during the season.

“He can see the dream is sort of coming into reality, which is exciting, but Mum probably shows her excitement a lot more and my siblings,” he said.

As for his Dad’s role as Hawks football director, McCabe said: “It’s not really his department, worrying about the draft, he’s got his own business to take care of.

“I’m sure I might see him around a little bit but I don’t think we’ll have a whole lot to do with each other.

“I just hope I could make him proud, have a good pre-season then look to play.”