HAWTHORN will narrowly miss out on having priority access to Noah Anderson, the son of Hawks premiership player Dean, as a father-son recruit at the 2019 NAB AFL Draft.
But the Hawks will have first call on the son of Anderson's premiership teammate Scott Maginness, Finn, who will be eligible for the draft in two years.
Anderson was the star for Vic Metro's side on Saturday, gathering 26 disposals and five clearances in a dominant midfield display in his side's win over Vic Country in the under-16 championships.
He looks a top talent, however the Hawks will not be able to secure him as a father-son, given Dean played 83 games there – short of the 100 required to be an eligible father-son pick.
Dean played at the Hawks from 1988-92 and was a key player in their 1989 and 1991 premiership wins, including kicking four goals in the 1989 victory. He then went on to play 67 games for St Kilda between 1993-96, and he is now on the Saints' board.
St Kilda has had a lean run of father-son selections, with Bailey Rice (2015 draft) just the third in the club's history and first since David Sierakowski in 1992.
Anderson is a part of the Oakleigh Chargers' under-16s program, and the club's talent manager, Craig Notman, said the 16-year-old is an impressive prospect.
"He's a midfielder who can go forward as well, so he's very versatile, and he has shown a real ball-winning ability. He's been a dominant force in junior footy and has really rolled that into our under-16s program and now the Vic Metro side," Notman said.
"We're certainly looking at whether we will give him a go in the under-18 side this year. The only thing is that we're mindful these boys will get a good look at things over the next two years, but we are weighing it up at the moment depending how he feels after the under-16 championships."
Anderson is already listed at 188cm and 83kg, making him a good size as a modern midfielder.
"He's very sure and a very smooth mover, so he's an exciting prospect. He's been a high level basketballer as well, so those skills translate well to the footy field," Notman said.
Maginness, a developing midfielder, also played for Vic Metro on Saturday at Punt Road and gathered 13 disposals and four inside-50s. His father Scott played 131 games for the Hawks between 1988-96, including the Hawks' memorable 1989 premiership triumph.
"Finn is a natural footballer with good smarts and a great tank. He's a good size, so that helps him in his roles and he has a real desire to get the best out of himself," said Sandringham Dragons talent manager Ryan O'Connor.
The under-16 carnival continues in coming weeks, with the final round to be played in Queensland in the middle of July.