“I want to make a name for myself”: New Hawk hopes to play 200+ games, be a Hawthorn life member

West Perth’s newest AFL player and Hawthorn’s latest recruit, Jasper Scaife says he wants to play 200 games at the highest level and be a life member of the Hawks after living his dream in the AFL-mid-season rookie draft.

Scaife was taken with pick five by Hawthorn and is set to fly across the country from Perth on Thursday afternoon to join the men in brown and gold.

19 years old and standing at 197cms, Scaife has kicked 11 goals in his last seven WAFL games. He told SEN WA Breakfast that his manager, Tom Seccull of Hemisphere Management, had indicated the Hawks held an interest.

“Heading into the draft I caught up with (my manager) and he said he had a pretty good feeling about Hawthorn. That put me on edge a bit but watching the first four picks go through as expected was nice. It’s quite crazy, to be honest,” Scaife said.

“Then in saying that, it’s so amazing to be grouped amongst those players and to go pick five was pretty special.”

EX-AFL PLAYERS AND STATE-LEAGUE STARS HEADLINE EVERY PICK IN THE 2024 MID-SEASON DRAFT

As for his aspirations about what he wants to achieve at the highest level, Scaife wasn’t shy in explaining his hopes to become one of the game’s greats.

“I’ve always been better off when I’ve dreamed bigger and I understand that it starts with game one, but I want to make a name for myself,” he stated.

“I want to be able to play 200 games, be a life member of the Hawthorn footy club would be absolutely awesome. I’m super pumped to get over there, it’s really hard to sum it up, to be honest.

“But lots of growth and maturity over the last 12-18 months has played its part. I’m in a great place at the moment, ready to earn and grow as a footballer and be an even better person.”

With a win over Brisbane last week, Hawthorn is out of the bottom four for the first time since Round 2 this year, with their recent form trending the right way.

Scaife says he’s been a Sam Mitchell fan from afar and was ecstatic to have the opportunity to play under the former midfielder.

“I reckon they’re travelling great. I reckon Sam Mitchell has been amazing for the club and he got around me pretty much straight away yesterday which was unreal, as with all the boys reaching out and welcoming me to the Hawks, which was awesome,” Scaife explained.

“They’re a super exciting club, play an exciting brand, really young group as well so there’s plenty of growth ahead and I dare say there’s going to be another dynasty around the corner.”

Scaife wasn't selected in last year's National Draft but has since added considerable size to his 85-kilogram frame while maintaining his impressive athleticism.

Hawthorn plays Adelaide on Saturday at the MCG before taking on GWS the following week in Tasmania.