Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell Explains Calsher Dear’s Omission, Hints at New Talent
Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell has shed light on the surprising decision to leave promising young forward Calsher Dear out of the Hawks’ squad for their Community Series clash against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night. The 21-year-old’s potential has been a significant talking point since his 2024 debut, though injuries unfortunately restricted him to just nine senior appearances last year.
Mitchell elaborated on the reasoning behind Dear’s absence, explaining to SEN that a disrupted pre-season, stemming from a hamstring injury sustained during the Hawks’ elimination final victory over GWS, played a crucial role.
“Calsher hasn’t quite been at his best,” Mitchell admitted. “We’ve got a few taller forwards in the attacking half at the moment, and we’re working to find the right balance. He’s currently lacking a little bit of confidence, and his pre-season has been somewhat limited. However, I anticipate seeing him back in the side relatively soon. He’s facing an uphill battle for Opening Round selection at this point, but it’s certainly not too late for him.”
Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell.
Stepping into Dear’s spot is Aidan Schubert, a physically imposing forward whom the Hawks secured with a late first-round pick in the 2025 National Draft. Schubert has been widely regarded as one of the most promising pure forwards in his draft class, boasting a strong body of work and considerable upside as he continues to develop physically.
Mitchell also highlighted Schubert’s “unlikely” but impactful performances, noting the 18-year-old’s push for an early-season debut.
“Schubert’s performances can sometimes look a bit unexpected, but when we review his GPS data and his influence on the game, he’s been incredibly significant for us early on,” Mitchell commented. “We’re eager to witness his capabilities against strong AFL defensive structures tonight. It’s important that we begin to integrate some fresh, young talent into the side. Last year, we didn’t debut any new players, so introducing youth is a key objective.”
The coach also provided an update on another emerging talent, Noah Mraz.
“Noah Mraz has also had a fantastic pre-season, and that’s why, along with Tom Barrass, we didn’t want to take any unnecessary risks with him,” Mitchell explained. “We’re confident that giving Noah an opportunity will see him perform exceptionally well and play a significant amount of football tonight.”
The Community Series match between Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs is scheduled to commence at 7:10pm AEDT at Mission Whitten Oval. This fixture provides a valuable opportunity for the Hawks to test their developing list and strategic approaches ahead of the official AFL season. The inclusion of players like Schubert and the ongoing development of talents like Dear and Mraz underscore a clear focus on building for the future at Hawthorn. Mitchell’s comments suggest a strategic approach to player selection, balancing immediate performance needs with long-term development and confidence-building for the emerging stars. The club’s commitment to blooding young talent, as evidenced by their stated goal of introducing debutants this season, indicates a shift in their recruitment and development philosophy. The pre-season series serves as a crucial testing ground for these new strategies and player combinations.
