A pair of emerging Hawthorn players really caught the eye of David King this week.
The leading AFL analyst visited Waverley Park on Thursday morning to take in the Hawks’ intra-club match and was overall happy with what he saw.
In particular, 19-year-old Henry Hustwaite stood out to King with his ability to make would-be tacklers stand still.
“They’ve got a kid there called Henry Hustwaite,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“He played a couple of games late last year, kicked a couple of goals against the Dees in one of them.
“He’s a clearance type midfielder. He’s a make them stand still, freeze the opponent type guy. He’s got a wiggle, he’s got a slalom run.
“It’s all slow but it seems to put people in some sort of trance, sort of like Scott Pendlebury does.
“He’s 195cm, he’s massive.”
Hustwaite, who was taken with Pick 37 in the 2022 draft, played two games for the Hawks in 2023.
He picked up 15 disposals and kicked two goals on debut against Melbourne in Round 23 before gathering 13 touches in Round 24 against Fremantle.
A highly-rated Hawk who is set to impress in 2024 is draftee Nick Watson.
The No.5 pick from last year’s draft, according to King, is likely to put “bums on seats” due to his electric playing style inside forward 50.
“How many goals is Nick Watson going to kick?,” King said.
“My god does he take your eye. He is everywhere.
“It is so good to see a young player come in and attack every contest with such passion, work up the field and work back.
“He assesses the ball drop quicker than most players and he’s learning off the best.
“I think you can put him down for 30 to 35 goals, which would be a huge return for a first-year player.
“He’s going to put bums on seats.”
The Hawks meet the Western Bulldogs in a practice match at the Whitten Oval on February 23 before again clashing with the Dogs in the AFL Community Series in Tasmania on March 2.
Their 2024 season proper kicks off against Essendon at the MCG on March 16.
