AFL 2024: Geelong Falcons export Angus Hastie to make St Kilda debut

A Geelong Falcons export will make his AFL debut this weekend — and all it took was one game in the reserves.

Geelong Falcon Angus Hastie is an AFL draft hopeful. Picture: Alison Wynd

St Kilda draftee Angus Hastie will make his AFL debut against Essendon on Saturday afternoon after earning a surprise call-up.

The Grovedale and Geelong West junior was the first prospect from the Geelong region taken in last year’s AFL draft, with the Saints nabbing him at pick 33.

A well balanced and speedy 190cm defender, Hastie earns his senior debut after just one VFL game, where he tallied 17 disposals, six marks, five intercept possessions and 76 SuperCoach points.

A video from St Kild shows the moment that Hastie told his parents he would be playing his first AFL game, but the surprise was nearly spoiled by St Kilda veteran Brad Hill.

“That’s incredible, mate.” 🥹

Angus Hastie calls home (after Hilly crashes the show) to drop the good news. pic.twitter.com/qm412SiO3b

— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) March 28, 2024

Hastie shot up draft boards late last year after showing his defensive ability on a variety of opponents — including Essendon top-10 pick Nate Caddy — along with his speed and agility in attack.

The 18-year-old told this publication last October that a move from Grovedale to Geelong West helped him realise his talents after considering giving football, given he was also a budding cricketer and basketballer.

“I give a lot of credit to them because I was thinking about dropping off footy at one point because I was playing three sports at one time. I ended up going out from Grovedale to Geelong West and playing there and they were really helpful,” Hastie said.

“Greg Mellor the seniors coach he was a massive help and he played me in three seniors games when I wasn’t quite making the team for Falcons as a bottom-ager.

“So he played me there and I was able to perform a little bit and that got me selected at Falcons and that helped me set up a good bottom-age year there and set me up for this year.

“We played Joeys and got hammered and that was a bit of a reality check and I was wondering if I’d play the next game or not based off that massive loss. He ended up picking me for the Colac game out at Colac and we won by a point there and you don’t really beat Colac in Colac.

“To play in a game where it was a massive win for the club I think having that opportunity and experience to play with guys like that at a high level helped me develop and helped me transition into the Falcons team.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong Falcons export Angus Hastie to make St Kilda debut