Son of late AFL great Paul Dear family lose it over Calsher Dear debut stunner

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The pressure is set to build on Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge after his side was stunned 14.14 (98) to 14.7 (91) in a stunning boilover on Sunday evening.

But while the match was the last thing the Bulldogs coach needed, it also heralded the start of what could be a great career for the son of late Hawks premiership winner Paul Dear.

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The 18-year-old Calsher Dear has played a starring hand in the game with two big goals on debut, finishing with two goals and a behind, as well as eight disposals including five marks in a great start to his AFL career.

His debut is no doubt bittersweet however, coming almost two years after the death of his father, who lost a battle with pancreatic cancer in July 2022.

Paul Dear played 120 matches for the Hawks over a nine-year career, undoubtedly highlighted by a Norm Smith winning performance in the 1991 grand final.

So with about three minutes when fast-counter from his teammates put the ball deep into the pocket for Calsher to take a mark not far from goal, the teenager made no mistake.

“With an angel riding on his shoulder, he puts it through,” Anthony Hudson said in fox Footy commentary.

“A beautiful moment, look at the delight on the young man.”

And the Hawks players understood the moment, rushing in to get around the young star.

Footage caught his family celebrating wildly in the stands after the brilliant moment.

And in the fourth quarter, Dear did it again, kicking an important goal from about 45m out.

Hawks skipper James Sicily didn’t see Dear’s first goal but was right behind him after the second goal.

Sicily said Dear “looked pretty dangerous”.

Speaking with Fox Footy after the match, Dear said he was “speechless”.

“It couldn’t have been any better than I imagined,” he said. “Unreal.”

As for his family, who lost it after his goals: “It’s unreal.

“I couldn’t tell you how many people here are supporting me. Mum’s been my rock my whole life. Just so special to have everyone cheering me on and here supporting me. I just love it.”

Dear added he “wouldn’t be here” without the support of Hawks star Jack Gunston, with both men bonded after losing their fathers just days apart in 2022.

Gunston also told Dear he’d be debuting against the Bulldogs.

As for how he believes his father would have seen his debut: “I hope he’d be pretty happy.

“I remember he was the most courageous player, that’s all anyone says about him. So if I can take that out of his book, I’m sure I’ll be alright.”

But while it was brilliant scenes for the Hawks, it was another tough night for the Dogs.

Now at 3-5 for the season, the Bulldogs are two wins out of the top eight in 11th already.

It’s the second time in as many meetings that the less-fancied Hawks have stunned the Bulldogs.

It makes the Dogs’ task of avoiding missing the finals in consecutive years with such a talented list a little harder and, after a tumultuous off-season at the club, it will undoubtedly intensify the focus on Beveridge who is into his 10th year in charge at Whitten Oval – a tenure which has yielded a premiership and two grand finals, but no finals wins since 2021.

The Bulldogs smashed the Hawks in clearances 44-28, but their skill level and pressure were off for large portions of the game as Hawthorn finished up winning contested possessions 135-127 and out-tackled the Dogs comfortably 71-59.

Jarman Impey was outstanding for Hawthorn with 27 disposals, Conor Nash (eight clearances) was huge in the middle, Lloyd Meek (44 hit-outs) played one of his best games for the club with 16 disposals (11 contested), six tackles and a goal.

But special mention has to be made of Sicily who had 20 touches, nine marks and a goal.

Sicily appeared to dislocate his shoulder late in the first quarter after charging into a pack at full pelt and spoiling the ball before landing heavily in the Bulldogs forward line.

But the medical staff were able to pop his shoulder back into place, and he was able to head back out onto the field in the second term. He played out the game and, despite also being hobbled by a left ankle injury, was a huge reason for the surprise win.

With Ronny Lerner, NCA NewsWire

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