SOUTH Australian Derick Wanganeen is in his second season on Hawthorn's rookie list.

A lively small forward and midfielder, the 21-year-old had to overcome some major obstacles to make it to the Hawks.

He talked to hawthornfc.com.au.

Tell us a bit about where you grew up and how you got your passion for footy.

I grew up in Port Lincoln, and started playing footy when I was about seven for Mallee Park Football Club. It's an all-Aboriginal team, so I grew up playing with all my cousins. I played there until I finished school, and then I moved to Adelaide and played for the Port Adelaide Magpies.

There have been some pretty handy players come from Mallee Park, haven't there?

Yep. Shaun Burgoyne, Graham Johncock and Lindsay Thomas all played for the Peckers too.

What makes it such a good breeding ground for players?

I'm not sure. I think it's because we start playing footy at a really young age, and playing with all your close cousins and all your mates makes it more fun. You look forward to getting out there each week.

Was Shaun Burgoyne a hero of yours when you were a kid?

I barracked for Port Adelaide, so I looked up to him. We got along really well from the moment I got to Hawthorn, because we've got that little connection of being from the same place. It's good to have someone from back home at the club. It's made it that little bit easier.

You had to leave home and move to Adelaide to chase your AFL dream.

Yeah. I played a few under-17 games for the Port Adelaide Magpies while I was still in Port Lincoln. It's about a seven- or eight-hour drive to Adelaide from home, but they used to fly me over. I'd play on the Saturday and fly straight back on Saturday night. After high school finished the club invited me to play full-time there. I made the move and played under-18s and some senior footy that year.

That was a tough year for you, wasn't it?

I played for South Australia in the national carnival, and I was looking forward to the draft at the end of the year, and then I found out my mum had cancer. They told me after the carnival had finished, because they didn't want to interrupt my footy. I went back home for a month and a bit and spent some quality time with my family and my mum before she passed away. I came back to Adelaide, but I didn't play as well as I would have liked. My footy sort of went downhill, and I didn't end up getting drafted. I was thinking about going back to Port Lincoln to live, because I wasn't really happy in Adelaide. But I had a big chat to my dad, and I ended up staying in Adelaide and playing for the Magpies for another year, and I got drafted at the end of the next year.

What was your dad's advice to you?

He just said, 'there's nothing we can do about it. Just stick at it. Give it one more year and play some good footy'. They were some wise words from the old man and things worked out well.

How disappointed were you not to be drafted that first year?

I was pretty shattered. I was hoping to get drafted, but I'd had a lot going on in my life. Clubs were just probably thinking it was a bit too much. I reckon it was good for me in the end to have that extra year to play some more senior football for the Magpies.

So when the Hawks picked you in the rookie draft the following year, were you expecting it?

No, it was a real surprise. I'd spoken to Geoff Morris (a Hawthorn recruiter), not even about football. It was just a catch-up. He was one of the coaches in my state team the year prior. So we caught up in Adelaide and had a chat, and then the rookie draft came along and I got picked up. It's probably because of Geoff that I'm here at the moment.

You were promoted to the senior list and made an emergency a couple of times this year. Do you think the door has closed on a senior debut this season?

You'd probably think so, but you never know. Things could change. But I'm just focussing on playing some good footy at Box Hill and playing my role there.

What position do you see yourself playing in the future?

I've played a few roles in the midfield this year. I've sort of played some good games and some OK games. My preference is to play some really good football as a forward, and then moving up to the midfield would be good for my development.

What have you had to work the hardest on since you arrived at the club?

Probably my defensive work, just to help out the backline. And my fitness. I'm good at the short little bursts, but long distance I struggle. That's something I'm concentrating on, my endurance.

Where are you at as far as next year goes?

I haven't really spoken to the club about a contract for next year yet. We'll sit down and have a chat at the end of the year. I'll be rapt if I'm still here as a Hawk, because I love the club.

A few quick ones to finish - who are you living with?

Two of the other boys on the list, Angus Litherland and Mitch Hallahan.

Do you follow other sports?

I like a bit of basketball.

Any pre-game superstitions?

No, none at all.

If you weren't a footballer, what would you be doing?

I'd probably be back home working and just chilling out with my mates.

What is your favourite movie?

I've just seen the new Batman movie, and that was pretty good.

What music do you like?

Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa.

Favourite food?

Pasta.

Do you have brothers and sisters?

Yep, I've got three sisters and a brother. I'm the second-eldest. My brother is the youngest. They're in Port Lincoln with Dad.

Do you get home to see them often?

No, I tend to wait until the end of the season. It's a fair way to go, with all the flights. I spend most of my time there over the Christmas break, seeing the family and enjoying the sun.

Who are your best mates at the club?

I hang out with my housemates Mitch and 'Gussy', and also Max Bailey, Alex Woodward, Bradley Hill and Andrew Boseley.

What do you normally do on your days off?

I like to sit back and watch a few movies and listen to music.

Are you doing any part-time study or work?

Every second Thursday night I go and do the soup kitchen in Collingwood. We make food up and deliver it to the less fortunate.  It's eye opening and makes you very grateful for the life you're living.