Hawthorn has added former Australian water polo player Ollie Purcell to its list as a Category B Rookie.

The 21-year-old arrives at the club having just represented the Aussie Sharks national team as goalkeeper in Japan last month.

Purcell has most recently been part of Water Polo Australia’s National Development Squad following several international tours as a junior, which included him vice-captaining the Aussie youth men’s squad at the 2022 and 2025 World Championships. 

Training in the Olympic squad since 2023 as a 17-year-old, Purcell has also been part of the NSWIS and VIS in that same time. 

Prior to his water polo pursuit, Purcell played multiple years of football as a junior for the Greythorn Falcons in Balwyn North, before playing for St Kevin's College during high school, where he represented the ‘Skevs’ as a 195cm defender in the APS system.

Hawthorn National Recruiting and List Manager Mark McKenzie said:

“We welcome Ollie to the Hawks; he joins our list as a talented international athlete with previous footy experience.

“Having represented Australia in water polo across several international tours, Ollie is no stranger to an elite sporting environment.

“When you also consider his footy history with St Kevin's as a 195cm key defender, known for his strong character, intercept marking and competitiveness, he makes for an exciting prospect in the years to come.

“With Ollie being a longer-term player, we know his development and pathway will take some time, but he will benefit greatly from the guidance and mentorship of the many experienced defenders already on our list.”