Irishman Connor Glass is set to make his brown and gold debut against Fremantle this Saturday, having been upgraded to Hawthorn’s senior list.

Hailing from Maghera, County Derry in Northern Ireland, Glass was added to the Hawks’ list in late 2015 as an international category B rookie. As the youngster was still finishing his schooling, it was not until mid-2016 that he officially relocated to Waverley. 

Just 12 months later and Glass is already preparing to live out his AFL dream, a feat that GM-Football Jason Burt says is thoroughly deserved.

“Conor has an incredible work ethic,” said Burt.

“Learning all the ins and outs of a new football code in a short amount of time is a tough task, but he’s applied himself from day one and truly deserves his call up.

“He’s been a consistently strong performer for Box Hill this year, and the exposure at AFL will be fantastic for his development.

“We’re really excited for both Conor and his family.” 

Read: Match preview Hawthorn v Fremantle

In last week’s VFL win over North Ballarat, Glass gathered 19 disposals, eight marks and laid two tackles while playing off half back, in an effort that impressed Coach Chris Newman.

“He is really starting to take the game on,” said Newman. 

“His run and carry and ability to draw an opposition player to release someone else is elite, and he took four marks from the opposition’s boot which means he’s getting in good areas behind the ball.”

A talented Gaelic footballer in his youth, Glass won three Ulster club minor titles with the Watty Graham team, as well as two MacRory crowns and a Hogan Cup victory with St Patrick's, Maghera. 

Glass will become Hawthorn’s fourth debutant for the 2017 season, following Teia Miles, Dallas Willsmore and James Cousins.