Young gun has hopes of signing with Hawks

CHRIS CAVANAGH BROWN and gold runs through Finn Maginness’s veins.

His father Scott played in two premierships for Hawthorn, Jason Dunstall is a regular visitor to the family’s Brighton home and the fatherson prospect has seen three Hawthorn premierships live from the stands of the MCG.

A big-bodied and strongrunning midfielder, Maginness has his fingers crossed the Hawks will snap him up in November’s AFL national draft.

But the 18-year-old accepts that is no given as his stocks continue to rise.

“The Hawks would be the dream destination for sure,” he said. “I’ve loved the club, loved the time I’ve spent there and it would be a dream come true to go there. But obviously it’s not the reality. Other clubs are there to pick me as well so if I went somewhere else I’d be stoked as well.”

Maginness has trained with Hawthorn multiple times this year and has shot up the draft order since being overlooked in the initial Vic Metro squad – a moment that made him “more hungry”.

The Sandringham Dragons hard-nut went on to play all four games of the under-18 national championships, averaging the second-most inside 50s, fifth-most pressure points and third-most tackles of any midfielder at the tournament.

“Compared to last year, I’ve definitely got more belief in myself and more confidence,” Maginness said.

“Dad’s always had enormous belief in me and sometimes when my confidence isn’t really high he’s always there to boost me.”