Hawthorn has handed Werribee midfielder Jack Riding the chance to train for one of the club's two vacant list spots ahead of the Supplemental Selection Period deadline.
Riding has grown into one of the VFL's hard-nosed onballers in recent years, having broken through for a debut at the level in 2023 while splitting his time with local club North Ballarat.
The 2024 season saw Riding enjoy a breakout season with the 'Bees, going at close to a goal per game as a half-forward and midfield rotation in Werribee's journey to the premiership.
Last year, Riding made a more permanent move into the midfield, averaging a career-best 24 disposals, as well as five clearances and five tackles, each outing. He was named in the VFL Team of the Year squad, having dominated the home stretch of the season, which included five games of 32 or more touches in his last nine appearances.
The 25-year-old could now join ex-Werribee teammates Riley Bice, Sam Clohesy, Shaun Mannagh, Jack Henderson, Aidan Johnson, Zac Banch and Flynn Young in moving from the standalone side to the top flight, with CODE Sports revealing Riding has landed a training opportunity with Hawthorn this summer.
"It's crazy. It's all happening now. It's exciting," he told the publication.
The Hawks have two open list spots to consider during the SSP, which concludes on February 20.
The pre-season so far has seen ex-North Melbourne half-back Flynn Perez impress onlookers in his bid for a career lifeline, while Ethan Stanley is also in the mix, having returned to Box Hill last year after 18 months on Fremantle's list.
Both Perez and Stanley are viewed as outside running options, with Riding offering a point of difference as an aggressive midfielder who can move forward of the ball.
The invitation from Hawthorn comes after the club confirmed star midfielder Will Day will miss an extended period due to shoulder surgery.
Day is expected to be sidelined until close to the midway mark of the upcoming campaign, further depleting Sam Mitchell's engine room options after the club bid farewell to new Cat James Worpel via free agency over the off-season.
