Calsher Dear has shared his recollections of the bittersweet moment that he kicked his first goal for his late father’s team.
The son of late AFL legend Paul Dear debuted with the Hawthorn Hawks in May, and the 18-year-old did hid dad proud, kicking two goals in the in the victory against the Western Bulldogs.
‘Dad is always on my mind. But in moments like that, I really feel his presence’ the teenage athlete tells Stellar Magazine this week.
‘It was extra motivation to do him proud, and it felt euphoric’ the key position forward added.
Calsher’s mother, Cherie, the widow of Norm Smith medallist Paul, called it a ‘surreal’ experience watching her son from the stands.
‘We were cheering and crying at the same time’ she said of friends and family who attended the game.
‘I was so proud of Calsher’s composure – there was a lot of pressure on his shoulders coming into this game, but his mental toughness was just like his dad’s.
‘I was so happy and my emotional release valve just went off. But there was also a deep sadness. Because Paul should have been there, too – to pat Calsher on the back and tell him how proud he was of him’.
Calsher Dear (centre), the son of late AFL legend Paul Dear, debuted with the Hawthorn Hawks in May, and the 18-year-old did hid dad proud, kicking two goals in the in the victory against the Western Bulldogs
Calsher joined the Hawthorn as a father-son selection in the 2023 national draft.
Cherie previously revealed she had fought back tears after watching her son run out for Hawthorn for the first time.
‘I’m not often speechless, but I really was (today)’ Cherie told Triple M at the time.
‘Very emotional after seeing the first goal and just really wishing Paul could have been here to see it as well.
‘I can say that now that he’s had the game – I didn’t want him to feel upset beforehand about that.
Paul (picture) died in 2022 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, aged just 55
‘Dad is always on my mind. But in moments like that, I really feel his presence’ the teenage athlete tells Stellar Magazine this week. Picturd with mother Cherie Dear
‘But yeah, it’s a really emotional day. But I’m so proud of your mental composure, Calsh, to be able to go out there and do that in your first game.
‘It’s a lot of pressure on young shoulders, but I think you’re just like dad with your mental toughness and ability to take things on your shoulders and do your best.’
Paul died in 2022 after a battle with pancreatic cancer aged 55.
Dear’s cemented his legendary status at the club playing 123 games for Hawthorn during a nine-year career spanning from 1987 to 1996.
Calsher’s mother, Cherie, called it a ‘surreal’ experience watching her son from the stands. ‘We were cheering and crying at the same time’ she said. Pictured in Stellar Magazine
Heartbroken Cherie gave a touching insight into her beloved husband’s final day.
‘It is with a very heavy heart that I share with you that my darling Paul said goodbye to us at 6.59pm,’ she revealed.
‘On Wednesday night we piled into his favourite old car which represented him so well and went for what we didn’t know was his last sunset at one of our favourite places. Like what was often his way, he sat peacefully and quietly and took it all in.
‘On Thursday he spent the whole day sitting outside, enjoying the blue skies and warm sun of the Melbourne winter.
‘I’m so proud of our beautiful family who helped me ensure that we could give him what he wanted – passing peacefully at home, completely enveloped in love and comfort,’ she wrote.
Read more in this week’s issue of Stellar Magazine
