NORTHERN Knights ruck Harry Van Hattum not only owns one of the most eye-catching names in this year’s draft crop, but shapes as a potential pick one wildcard. The towering tall has grown to 205cm, which is bad news for the opposition as he looks to further impose his power on the Talent League.

A talented junior basketballer, Van Hattum made the decision to pursue footy after making Under 16 representative sides for both sports in 2024. He has gone on to become the Knights’ first choice ruck and earned a Vic Metro berth last year, before being inducted into the 2026 National Academy.

We sat down for an interview with Van Hattum at the recent Talent League preseason testing combine.

PRESEASON Q&A

Q: Harry, can you walk through your footy journey and how you got started?

HVH: My dad got me started, playing for St Mary’s juniors. Then obviously into Knights Futures and Knights 18s.

Q: Did you play any other sport growing up?

HVH: I played basketball until the end of 2024, and had to make the decision to quit that and just stick with footy, but I love that too…  I played Vic Metro Under 14s and Under 16s, but after that I had to quit and just play footy.

Q: How has the preseason been, having opportunities with Vic Metro and the National Academy?

HVH: It’s been really good. Through the National Academy I went to New Zealand, that was an awesome experience. Then I got to go to Collingwood through the Academy as well, so I got to go there for a week which was obviously an unreal experience as well. Good to learn off those experienced boys. It’s been a really solid injury-free preseason, so hopefully [I’m] set up for a good year.

Q: Who took you under their wing at Collingwood?

HVH: Big ‘Darce’, Darcy Cameron took me under his wing a bit. I’ve learned heaps off him, so that was really handy for me. Probably Billy Frampton as well, I learned heaps off him too. Yeah, that’s been really good experience.

Q: What kind of goals have you set for yourself this year?

HVH: Obviously the ultimate goal is to get drafted end of the year, but just to have a consistent [season] throughout all the different levels – through Knights, Metro, and Academy as well. Just have a good, solid baseline throughout all that and hopefully have a consistent year.

Q: Have you grown at all?

HVH: I have grown a bit. Last time we measured here I was 202cm and now I’m almost 205, so hopefully still growing a bit.

Q: What does that mean in terms of your role this year, will you still be predominately rucking?

HVH: Yeah, obviously mainly ruck for the Knights, but I’ll definitely spend a lot of time forward too. I’ve learned that forward craft off ‘Pebbs’ (Northern Knights coach, Anthony Rocca) so hopefully I can get both roles going for me.

Q: Do you tend to watch a lot of footy?

HVH: I love my footy. I’ll watch whatever game’s on and just watch my favourite players… I go for the Hawks.

Q: Are there any players you try to model your game on?

HVH: Yeah, definitely. [Players] like Max Gawn and Sam Darcy, those kind of players. Especially Sam Darcy being that huge ruck-forward too.

Q: What are some of your strengths, and the areas you’re still looking to improve on?

HVH: My strengths are probably my aerial ability. I love crashing the contest, crashing packs. Try to take a hanger if I can. My ruck craft as well is definitely a strength for me, trying to dominate every area of my ruck. An improvement would be my aerobic tank, so getting across the ground more so I can get to every contest.

Q: Are there any teammates you think we should look out for to have a big year?

HVH: Definitely Lewis Houndsome, he’ll have a great year down forward. Looking forward to playing with him.

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