Will Golds is still pinching himself.

Taken by the club with its second selection in last month’s NAB AFL Rookie Draft, Golds has been a lifelong Hawthorn supporter. 

Now, those heroes that he watched throughout the Hawks’ golden era have become his teammates.

Read: Heavier and hungrier

“I think the first few weeks have been very interesting, playing with these boys who I’ve watched so much over such a long period of time,” Golds said.

“I think I’m still getting used to the fact that they are such good players.

“I’m definitely enjoying the experience and learning lots off them.”

A hard-working midfielder with elite running capacity, Golds nominated reigning Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell as the player he has been watching closest in his early days at the club.

“It’s just the way he goes about it.

“Every training session he just has so much intensity, he is so switched on and he is just a student of the game.

“So, I’ve just been trying to watch him, try and closely follow him around at training and try and do the things that he does because he is such a great player.”

Halfway through the Mooloolaba pre-season camp, Golds is focussed on leaving no stone unturned.

“The camp has been really enjoyable.

“I think the group has become a lot closer throughout this period because everyone is always together and hanging out, so it’s been good fun.”