McGlynn excites Hawks

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has talked up rookie midfielder Ben McGlynn, who makes his debut for the Hawks against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome on Saturday.

Clarkson said the coaching staff had been impressed with McGlynn’s form for VFL affiliate Box Hill.

“He’s a great little competitor. He’s got a heart as big as himself. He’s a lad that’s done it the hard way.

“He’s had to do it the same way Sammy Mitchell has by playing at Box Hill and working hard. He’s done it in a different road to a lot of other players by not coming through the draft but that doesn’t make him any less special to us,” Clarkson beamed.

McGlynn’s tenacity and hardness at the ball and his consistent form at Box Hill this season has impressed the club.

“I’m a fan of anyone that goes hard at the footy. I don’t think there’ll be anyone that goes as hard at the competition as what Benny McGlynn does,” he said.

A place on the primary list has been vacant since the club placed no. 22 draft pick Beau Muston on the long term injury list in February.

McGlynn was the Hawks' last selection in the 2005 NAB AFL Rookie draft, taken at number 55 overall. Originally from Wentworth, McGlynn moved to Melbourne to play for the Bendigo Pioneers in the under 18 competition before moving to Box Hill where he has played the last two seasons.

“He’s a real hard nut and he’s got great leg speed. He can compete with Crawf in a lot of those areas,” Clarkson added.

With the news on Crawford’s shin a case of ‘wait and see’ the Hawks coach was confident his star player wouldn’t be out for too long.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how it settles. He’s had a scan and it’s indicated he’s got a little hot spot in his leg. He had the scan about three weeks ago and that’s why he missed the game going into Brisbane,” Clarkson said.

“We’re just hopeful that 10 to 12 days of rest will do it the world of good.”

“Hopefully he’ll get it right and he’ll be good for us in the latter half of the season.

“We’ve just got to wait to see how it settles. It might be two weeks, it might be four. I imagine somewhere around the bye he should be right to go again," he said.