Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves

[hawkmang]

Ryder Cheeseman available for an SSP spot?

Edit: Born a couple of decades too late I reckon. There was a time when Collingwood was drafting names like Tyson Goldsack, Steele Sidebottom, Tim Broomhead. Ryder Cheeseman would’ve been a natural fit.

His name fits the current Sydney list profile. They’d draft a plodder called Sauce Longbottom just for the name if they had the chance

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I don’t like comparing newbies to all-time greats, but Greeves' game does remind me a little of the Bonts'.

He's a tall, physically imposing midfielder that cruises around the field at his own pace, wracking up touches as a link-man and utilisiny his classy kicking skills (unique for mids of his size). He is very clean with his hands, but despite his size he doesn't generally play as a midfield bull. He is also able to rest forward and have an impact, due to his strength overhead. He's such a hard matchup.

He's a unique package for sure. And whilst his pace may be an issue (see Hustwaite), he can at least work on the defensive side of his game and his fitness. Once he puts on muscle and loses some puppy fat he will be a big unit even for AFL standards.

As for those taking issue with the goal celebrations - he's going to fit right in with the Wiz, Ginnivan and MacDonald.

 

[CliffMcTainshaw]

His name fits the current Sydney list profile. They’d draft a plodder called Sauce Longbottom just for the name if they had the chance

Ryder Cheesman - Men's Basketball - Missouri State

Ryder Cheesman (31) Guard - Background Played for the Knox Raiders, an Australian semi-professional club in the NBL1 South league in 2025, where is averaged 2.0

missouristatebears.com

 

[JZedd]

Looks pretty bloody special, great to have him board based on that highlight reel.

I've read the negative comments about other clubs potentially passing on Greeves for personality issues. But surely, no matter how bad he is, he's not going to be as bad as the CHB we had who wore the number 5 and went to Coffee with Harry Morrison (and then Port)?

That guy was Mitch Thorp level obnoxious, just a better player.

I say we wait and see before tarring him with that stuff. We picked him, and our club knew him well enough before it happened.

The club is on record as saying he's a great kid. The rest seems like just rumours.

 

[HawkHead19]

I get some Clayton Oliver

10

Clayton Oliver

Age

28

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.8

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

18.4

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

6.3

5star

CL

6.3

5star

D

25.1

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

14.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

19.2

5star

K

4.6

2star

HB

14.6

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.4

5star

CL

3.8

5star

vibes

 

[PAOKTSIS]

He reminds me a little of Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

31

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

.

Would be interesting to see what Cripps’ 2km, agility and speed tests were during his draft year.

Welcome aboard Ollie!

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

I get some Clayton Oliver vibes

The on field or off field?

 

[threesixpio]

I concur with Davo on Ollie being more of a forward than Mid. In due time we will realise he is a steal given how he competes in fwd half & kicks goals and then mix it up in the middle.

He now has the fire to prove many detractiors wrong and can play 2 positions which means he is more likely to get a debut sooner than later.

Sammy has the whole “I was overlooked too” thing which means he starts on equal footing with all other draftees.

 

[ahhhhhh]

Have to be one of the most polarising draft picks I can remember. From 18 in Towmey's November Power Rankings () to 12 in the rookie draft.

I hope you make it young man.

 

[Bugs1977]

Ollie’s got a few players past and present he’s related to.

First and foremost, his first cousin is Essendon AFLW player Georgia Nanscawen.

Second, his great-great uncle is Cats great and first Brownlow Medal winner Edward “Carji” Greeves.

Third, his great-great-grandfather was Edward Goderich “Ted” Greeves who played for the Cats.

His brother, Zac, played for the Eastern Ranges in 2022.

Pretty Ollie was a Cats fan growing up too so he'll need to be sanitised

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Pretty sure Ollie was a Cats fan growing up too so he'll need to be sanitised

Correct due to Carji and Ted.

 

[Bugs1977]

Welcome to the best team in the world Ollie. The ball is in your court to prove everyone that passed over you wrong

 

[HawkHead19]

The on field or off field?

On field

 

[mustang]

Worpel would leave him in his wake. Now think about that.

O really

 

[mustang]

He ran a 6.40 for the 2km.
It's not top shelf, but he's no slouch.

Super talent. It's a great pick.

As I still have the Worpel leaving him for dead in a foot race thought, TD do you know what Worpel tested for the 2km last preseason or in his draft year?

 

[arupist]

As I still have the Worpel leaving him for dead in a foot race thought, TD do you know what Worpel tested for the 2km last preseason or in his draft year?

FYI, Worps ran 6.21 at the 2017 Draft Combine.

This year, Jack Dalton (5.53) was fastest, Nairn (6.13) 4th, Schubert (6.21) 10th. Worps compares favourably. 6.40 is probably not too bad for Greeves, given his illness and having to recover and do it alone just before the draft. Credit to him.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I reckon this guy is a classic case of something going wrong and then the whole league being spooked about it and walking away.

e.g. yes it is bad that he didn't do X or Y. But every club has taken this to mean "DO NOT TOUCH" rather than "maybe we just use a later pick".

The position we are in as a club is that we have to take some chances if we are gonna leapfrog the queensland teams in the next few seasons.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

Anyway - we form some pretty strong opinions on very little info with draftees.

I'm excited for this guy - I dunno what it is about his highlights but I reckon he's got it and given he'll prob have a development year in 2026 he's got a chance to really build on what he was able to deliver in juniors.

 

[KermitJagger]

Generally speaking, when players slide it's for a reason. Looks a talent but when a player comes in as a rookie you need to have rookie expectations regardless of where he was expected to be selected in the lead up. One club might get it wrong but it's very rare that every club does.

Where someone like Cripps turned out even worse testing results (3.23 sprint), Greeves has a bad combination of being an average athlete AND being physically developed where Cripps was a bean pole coming off a 20cm growth spurt. A good parallel for Greeves is Charlie Constable

33

Charlie Constable

Age

26

Ht

192cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.4

5star

K

9.0

3star

HB

12.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

3.7

5star

No current season stats available

D

22.4

5star

K

10.0

4star

HB

12.4

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

3.4

5star

, very similar profile as a player and very similar weaknesses - and a decent template for why he will struggle.

All that said, a good pre-season and a mental commitment could take him a mile. He certainly stands out more than Long or Hustwaite.

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Generally speaking, when players slide it's for a reason. Looks a talent but when a player comes in as a rookie you need to have rookie expectations regardless of where he was expected to be selected in the lead up. One club might get it wrong but it's very rare that every club does.

Where someone like Cripps turned out even worse testing results (3.23 sprint), Greeves has a bad combination of being an average athlete AND being physically developed where Cripps was a bean pole coming off a 20cm growth spurt. A good parallel for Greeves is Charlie Constable, very similar profile as a player and very similar weaknesses - and a decent template for why he will struggle.

All that said, a good pre-season and a mental commitment could take him a mile. He certainly stands out more than Long or Hustwaite.

Probably a good comparison. Ball magnet but plodder that nobody wanted. Constable could not kick for shit though. Greeves hits targets with ease

 

[Gohawks16]

My Son has a huge smile on his face and recons his summer is now going to be filled with Joy. - He's turning 16 in a month.

He was disappointed last night that we didn't pick him claiming we missed an opportunity to belt the living suitcases out of all opposition with a Jai and Ollie combo.

I said to him, "I don't think he's that type of player son"
He replied - "I could be wrong, but I don't think opposition teams care what you think dad - look at the size of him - he's a UNIT"

I was very disappointed as well that we didn't pick him up in the draft. it all worked out in the end plus we were able to pick up another couple of really good young talent in Dalton and Leray.
For me it's the biggest steal of the draft.

 

[Gohawks16]

Who puts these highlight reels together?

The first half is full of him getting caught HTB, turning it over, turning into traffic and getting tackled etc.

I would not want my full assessment of the guy to be based on that video!

However, I will declare that is Harley Reid lite and we've got an absolute steal here.

I agree, there are plenty of highlight videos out there that showcase Greeves a lot better.

 

[Gohawks16]

People are saying he is a bull, didn't see that much in the highlights but did like his ability to be in space and like his quick decision making.

Also, might not be a bull in the AFL - looks pretty developed already?

A lot like Sam Mitchell - pretty slow but unbelievable quick thinker.

Check out some of his other highlight videos on YT. Particularly the state championships and Academy ones.
I watched the championships and followed him closely due to the Hawks interest in him as an NGA.

 

[eldorado]

I'd like to see his body shape get a bit leaner and more athletic over the next two preseasons...

He's a bit lunkish...

 

[matey]

I’m over the moon to see the Hawks show some faith with young Ollie. We have pushed the NGA path to no avail and he’s been down to training …… he’s already been welcomed to our club pre getting drafted!

But it goes both ways I guess Hawks know a bit about the young man and I’m sure he knows a bit about the standards/expectations of the club/Sam so grab the opportunity with both hands son!