Quick Read
- Flynn Perez signed with Hawthorn on March 2, 2026, via the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) deadline.
- Perez, 24, previously played 24 matches for North Melbourne (2020-2023) but faced career-limiting injuries.
- He spent the last two seasons with Sturt in the SANFL, helping them win the 2025 premiership.
- Hawthorn’s List Manager Mark McKenzie praised Perez’s competitiveness, agility, and ball use.
- Perez was one of several players across the league to secure an AFL spot through the SSP deadline.
MELBOURNE (Azat TV) – Former North Melbourne defender Flynn Perez officially secured his return to the Australian Football League (AFL) on Monday, March 2, joining Hawthorn’s rookie list via the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) deadline. The 24-year-old’s signing marks a significant comeback, overcoming early career injuries and proving his form in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) to earn a second chance at the highest level of Australian Rules football.
Perez was one of several players to earn an AFL lifeline on the final day of the SSP, which closed at 5pm AEDT. His journey back to the AFL culminates a period of perseverance after an injury-plagued initial stint with North Melbourne, where he played 24 matches between 2020 and 2023, undergoing two knee reconstructions.
Flynn Perez’s Journey Back to the AFL
Drafted by North Melbourne with Pick 35 in 2019, Flynn Perez’s promising career was initially hampered by significant injuries. After being delisted by the Kangaroos, he moved to South Australia, where he spent the past two seasons with Sturt in the SANFL. His dedication paid off, culminating in a starring role in Sturt’s 2025 SANFL premiership victory. This impressive state league performance caught the attention of AFL scouts, leading to an invitation to train with Hawthorn.
Perez joined the Hawthorn program as a train-on player before Christmas and quickly made an impression at the Kennedy Community Centre. His strong work ethic, competitiveness, and valuable skills as a rebounding half-back were evident, convincing the club to offer him a spot. He ultimately edged out fellow contenders Ethan Stanley and Jack Riding for the contract, highlighting the competitive nature of the SSP process.
Hawthorn’s Confidence in Perez
Hawthorn National Recruiting and List Manager Mark McKenzie expressed confidence in Perez’s ability to make an immediate impact. ‘Flynn has made a seamless transition into our program since joining us pre-Christmas, and we’re delighted to give him his next opportunity at AFL level,’ McKenzie stated. He further emphasized Perez’s attributes, noting, ‘At 24, we’re confident Flynn can make an immediate impact within our Club; he is a person of high character with a strong work ethic and possesses some dangerous weapons with his competitiveness, agility, and ball use from half back.’
Perez, a 187cm Bendigo product, brings valuable experience and a renewed drive to the Hawks’ lineup. His successful stint in the SANFL has clearly refined his game, making him a valuable addition to Hawthorn as they finalize their list for the 2026 season.
SSP Lifelines Across the League
The closing of the Supplemental Selection Period saw a flurry of activity across the AFL, with multiple clubs utilizing the window to bolster their lists. Alongside Perez’s signing with Hawthorn, several other players earned coveted rookie spots. Melbourne signed 23-year-old forward Paddy Cross from their VFL affiliate Casey Demons, replacing the recently retired Steven May. Richmond added small rebounding defender Thomas Burton, who impressed after being overlooked in earlier drafts.
The Western Bulldogs brought in 26-year-old Will Lewis from their Footscray VFL side, while West Coast secured Harry Schoenberg, Finlay Macrae, Milan Murdock, and Deven Robertson. Other notable SSP signings included Elijah Hollands and Wade Derksen at Carlton, Jayden Laverde at Greater Western Sydney, Mason Cox and Chris Scerri at Fremantle, Will Setterfield at Essendon, Tom Blamires at North Melbourne, and Balyn O’Brien and Mitch Zadow at Port Adelaide. These signings underscore the SSP’s critical role in providing a second chance for talented players and offering clubs flexibility to address list needs outside the main draft periods.
The SSP window continues to prove a vital mechanism for players like Flynn Perez to re-enter the AFL system, offering a pathway for those who have demonstrated resilience and strong form in state leagues to earn another opportunity. For clubs, it provides a strategic avenue to fill list vacancies with mature talent, often bringing immediate value and depth to their squads.