THE Illawarra region may not yet qualify as a hotbed for AFL talent, but Keiraville teenager Hamish MacDonald hopes to defy the odds and carve out a professional career.
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An accomplished 400-metres runner and very capable representative basketballer, MacDonald only started playing AFL four years ago and has gone from strength to strength.
Earlier this year he was selected in the Sydney Swans under-16 side for a game against the GWS Rams.
The Holy Spirit College year 10 student is projected to grow to at least 1.95 metres and has all the physical tools to compete at a high level.
If he continues to improve his fundamentals as his body fills out, MacDonald has the potential to become just the second player from Wollongong to make it in the AFL big time, following in the footsteps of Melbourne Demons player and former Figtree boy Aidan Riley.
"I plan on getting a scholarship to university through AFL and I eventually hope to get drafted and earn money off that," the 16-year-old said.
"I probably still find my kicking skills aren't that good and I'm still working on it.
"I just have to keep practising."
MacDonald has tried most sports, representing Illawarra in basketball and winning the 400m titles at the 2013 NSW Combined Catholic Colleges championships. Soon he will attempt to defend his 400m crown at this year's NSW CCC titles.
But MacDonald's heart lies with AFL.
"I've kind of already decided to pick AFL," the eldest of four siblings said.
"I just play basketball for fun now."
MacDonald was out of action for a while with a fractured back last year.
"I originally thought it was a muscle thing, but when I got back from the All-Schools carnival I couldn't walk," he said.
"My back's good now. There's no pain at all."
