Hawthorn forward Jasper Scaife reveals Hawks recruit Tom Barrass’ impact as he pushes for AFL debut in 2025

West Australian Jasper Scaife says he has picked star recruit Tom Barrass’ brain “clean” in a bid to break into Hawthorn’s senior side this season. Taken with pick five in last year’s mid-season draft, the West Perth product said the Eagles premiership defender’s arrival at Waverley Park in the off-season has helped him develop his craft as a forward. “Spending a lot of time with TB (Barrass) has been really good for my growth. I’ve picked his brain clean, I reckon,” Scaife told The West Australian. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and a mature head to the group, which is incredible. He’s a very articulate man and someone who has so much knowledge to share. He’s a great educator. “We’re rapt to have him and can’t wait to see what he can do for us.” And while it might seem daunting for some, going head-to-head with quality key defenders like Barrass and Hawthorn captain and swingman James Sicily at training has been “incredible”, according to Scaife. “Those guys just want to get the best out of everyone and themselves. It’s been incredible to have that maturity, that knowledge and that experience around the group,” he said. “They are both amazing people and really good leaders.” As many as nine AFL clubs had their eyes on the 196cm forward in the lead-up to the mid-season draft, following 11 goals in seven games during a purple patch for the Falcons. But Scaife said he was thrilled to be in brown and gold under the tutelage of Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell. “He’s a very smart man. He certainly knows what he’s talking about and he knows how to get the best out of us,” Scaife said. “The emphasis for us is knowing what we have to improve and working hard. We’re not a finished product but the last few years have shown us when we do work hard, we improve, so we’re looking for continued growth.” Mitchell resisted the temptation to rush Scaife into the senior side last year after a promising start with VFL affiliate Box Hill in his first month at the club, including a three-goal debut. He deemed Scaife “not quite ready” for a senior call-up in June given he had recently undergone a jaw procedure, while a minor finger injury put his call-up on hold again as the Hawks surged into finals late in the year. As Scaife reaches the home stretch of his first AFL pre-season, the 20-year-old is confident that if an opportunity arose, he would take it with both hands. “I certainly feel ready,” he declared. That occasion could come sooner than expected, with Mitch Lewis still recovering from an ACL tear and Calsher Dear facing a delayed start to the season with a back injury. Scaife could get a chance to earn his wings later this month, with the club set to take on Geelong in a match simulation on February 17 before an official practice match with Western Bulldogs on February 27. The Hawks season will also start sooner in 2025, featuring in Opening Round for the first time against Sydney at the SCG on March 7. It would be a fitting debut for Scaife, having grown up idolising West Australian champion Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, who played a legendary 350-game career for both the Hawks and Swans. “He’s one that really inspired me to go out and try and dominate,” Scaife said. “He was an incredible player and some of the stuff he did was pretty out of this world. If I can be half the player he was, I’d be pretty happy.”