Eighteen-year-old forward Aidan Schubert will become Hawthorn’s eighth AFL debutant of the season after being named to make his AFL debut against North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium this Saturday.

Selected with Pick 23 in last year’s National Draft, the South Australian product arrived at the club following a stellar junior career, which included earning Under-18 All-Australian honours and collecting the SANFL U18 MVP Award.

With his strong aerial prowess and sticky hands, the athletic 195cm tall has turned heads at VFL level in his first senior season, highlighted by a bag of five goals and a pair of three-goal performances.

In 15 appearances for Box Hill, the talented teenager has averaged 13 disposals, 4.8 marks, and 1.6 goals per game.

Schubert’s call-up comes fresh off a strong outing against Essendon’s VFL side just last week, where he tallied 15 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, and a goal.

Hawthorn Executive General Manager of Football Rob McCartney said:

“It will be a special moment for Aidan and his family on Saturday afternoon as he gets the opportunity to pull on the brown and gold for the very first time.

“As a young key tall with genuine talent, what’s impressed us most is his willingness to compete and learn, which gives us great confidence he can step up and play a role for us at AFL level.

“At just 18 years of age, we know Aidan will have the full support of his teammates and the Hawthorn faithful when he runs out at UTAS Stadium on Saturday against the Kangaroos."