SON-OF-A-GUN Finn Maginness could buck the typical Hawthorn trend and make an instant impact next year, the club's national recruiting manager Mark McKenzie says.

Maginness officially became a Hawk on Thursday night, with Hawthorn matching North Melbourne's second-round bid for the Sandringham Dragons product.

Some recruiters rated the 18-year-old as highly as a top-15 selection but he slid to No.29 before the Kangaroos unsuccessfully attempted to pry him away.

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The Hawks matched the bid with picks 51 and 54, and received Maginness and selection No.71, which wasn't used as they prepare to choose ex-Bomber Michael Hartley in Friday's pre-season draft.

Maginness is the son of dual premiership-winning Hawthorn defender Scott, who played 131 games between 1988 and 1996.

"Finn's a great character, his family is great, and we're just very happy to bring him into the football club," McKenzie told reporters.

"It's been a bit of a long process but he's really improved as a player, especially over the last 12 months, and I think we saw his (outstanding) combine results – he deserved everything he's received so far."

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Maginness is just the fourth father-son choice in the club's history, behind Steven Greene (2000), Travis Tuck (2005) and current Swan Josh Kennedy (2006), who became a star after leaving.

None of them played more than 42 senior games for the Hawks but there are significantly higher expectations for Maginness.

One talent-spotter even compared his playing style to Sydney clearance specialist Kennedy, on top of the fact they both stand 189cm and have "the same hunched shoulders".

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Maginness averaged 21 disposals and five tackles for the Dragons in the NAB League this year, playing well enough to force his way into Vic Metro's squad for the AFL Under-18 Championships.

However, it was the teenager's standout Draft Combine performances that put his name up in lights.

He placed sixth in the 20m sprint, equal-seventh in the Yo-Yo test then second in the 2km time trial – stopping the clock at a slick 5:51, which was 13 seconds quicker than the previous record.

Young midfield bull James Worpel is one of the rare Hawthorn youth of recent years to quickly become a senior regular, including claiming the club's best and fairest award this year.

McKenzie said Maginness' athletic qualities meant he could follow in Worpel's footsteps.

"He's got the size and the running capabilities (to slot straight into the senior side) but there's no rush," McKenzie said.

"We're not necessarily drafting for the next 12 months – it will be the next number of years."

Maginness' selection followed that of 189cm South Australian backman Will Day, who was the Hawks' top pick at No.13 on Wednesday night.

Like Maginness, Day has a brown and gold family link, with his grandfather Robert playing in the club's 1971 flag.

Hawthorn rounded out its draft with a second South Australian, 186cm forward Josh Morris, of Woodville-West Torrens, who appealed with his athleticism, marking ability and upside.