Called up on Thursday after displaying impressive form for the Giants’ VFL outfit, Hamilton and GWS ran rampant, running away 59-point winners at Adelaide Oval.
Hamilton collected 12 touches, five tackles and four marks in the win, and after an unbeaten start to life in the charcoal and orange jumper across VFL and now AFL, the Giants’ #43 joked post-game that he’d been referred to as a “lucky charm”.
“All the boys call me a good-luck charm, so hopefully they keep me in,” Hamilton said.
“I’m really happy, absolutely stoked.”
The Bendigo Pioneers product has been averaging 17.6 disposals and a touch over five marks a game at VFL level, but told afl.com.au he was blindsided by being handed a debut.
"I wouldn't say I saw it coming,“ he said.
“We're all playing some pretty good football and I thought there was like five or six of us in contention to play.
“I didn't think it would be me but I was lucky enough to get the call-up and I'm ecstatic to."
After missing out in the 2021 AFL National Draft, Hamilton was taken by GWS with pick #13 in the 2022 rookie draft, and the 18-year-old wasted no time making an impact at his new club by smashing the club’s 2km time trail record.
Hamilton’s elite running ability coupled with strong state-tier form laid the groundwork for his call-up, and the young gun got his career under way off the half-back flank for the Giants.
And hopefully it’s the start of a long career for the Colbo native.
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