HAWTHORN won't have the benefit of playing project ruckman Ned Reeves in the JLT Community Series before deciding whether or not to sign him by the March 15 deadline.
The 20-year-old, the son of chief executive Justin Reeves, has trained with the Hawks since they returned from the Christmas break and played in Thursday's practice game against Carlton at Ikon Park.
Reeves, who is 208cm and previously played for TAC Cup side Oakleigh Chargers, scored his chance in the fourth quarter after Hawthorn's No.1 big man Ben McEvoy ended his day at three-quarter time.
The Box Hill beanpole has also taken part in the Hawks' match simulation and last week's intraclub at Waverley Park.
However, AFL rules prevent Reeves – and any unlisted player – from competing in the JLT series unless he is officially a Hawthorn footballer.
He is bidding to replace the retired Will Langford on the list via the new pre-season supplemental selection period, and would join fellow ruckmen McEvoy, Jon Ceglar and Marc Pittonet.
Shane Mumford (GWS Giants), Zac Clarke (Essendon), Maverick Weller and Sydney Stack (Richmond), Corey Wagner (Melbourne), Keegan Brooksby (West Coast), Tom Campbell (North Melbourne), Gibbons and Matthew Cottrell (Carlton) already joined clubs this way.
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Those nine individuals now have the same playing rights as any other AFL footballer.
Players contracted with an AFL club's state league affiliate can apply and receive permission to compete in match simulation, intraclub games or practice matches against rival teams.
That doesn't stretch to the JLT series, a sanctioned AFL tournament.
Footballers on the SSP training list who are not contracted to the respective state league side are restricted to participating in training, match simulation and intraclub contests.
Clubs are responsible for injury liability for players in these circumstances.
Ceglar stopped short of endorsing Reeves for a spot on the Hawks' list, but noted his encouraging progress since linking up with them.
"He's been very impressive. He's big, he's huge. You can really notice it," Ceglar told AFL.com.au.
"He's still a kid, he's still learning and it's been great for him.
"The progress he's made with the coaches and 'Monky' (ruck coach Damian Monkhorst) from the day he got here – he's been here only two months – has been really good.
"I don't know what they're going to do, but whatever happens, he'll benefit from this experience … and if he keeps improving the way he is, at 208cm, he's going to be pretty hard to stop in years to come."
Reeves was on Box Hill's list last season, but didn't make an appearance, instead playing for St Kevin's in the Victorian Amateur Football Association's Premier Division.
He also represented the competition's under-19 Big V team against a Victoria Country outfit in July last year.
