07-05-2025
Teen footy star Calsher Dear makes emotional confession about why his AFL legend father's tragic death is getting harder for him to deal with instead of easier
Hawthorn young gun Calsher Dear has revealed why the pain of his father's death is intensifying as he gets older.
Paul Dear - a Hawks legend who snared the Norm Smith Medal in 1991 for playing a leading role in the grand final win over West Coast - died in 2022 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
At the time of his dad's passing, Dear was just 16.
As the key forward prepares to turn 20 in August, Dear admitted he still endures some dark days over his father's passing.
'Probably the last year or so has been harder for to when he died,' Dear told Channel Seven.
'He still comes across my mind all the time and I am sort of at an age (19) where I am like, "I'd love to ask Dad this".
'I don't like that it is getting normal that he isn't around.'
Dear also stated: 'The first year (after his passing) was shock, but it is now sinking in he is gone for the rest of my life.
'I am 19 now... I am a completely different person to when he died.'
His father cemented his status as a club legend with a game-turning effort in the Hawks' 1991 triumph over the Eagles at a time when the side was considered too old to win the flag.
'Arguably his greatest moment in the brown and gold came on Grand Final day 1991, helping drag the Hawks to premiership glory,' Hawthorn said when news of Dear's death broke.
'Facing a deficit at the first break, Paul inspired a stunning turnaround, gathering 26 disposals and booting two goals in a Norm Smith Medal-winning performance.
'In retirement, Paul's ability to inspire extended beyond the football field, as he bravely fought pancreatic cancer following his diagnosis in 2020.'
Meanwhile, Paul's mother Cherie labelled the occasion a 'surreal' experience after watching Calsher make his AFL debut for the Hawks in May last year.
The youngster was far from overawed, booting two goals in the victory against the Western Bulldogs as he followed in his father's footsteps.
Dear - who hasn't played so far this year due to injury - went on to stamp himself as one of the brightest young talents in the AFL as he helped drive the Hawks to a remarkable resurgence in the second half of the year, culminating in them narrowly falling to Port Adelaide in the semifinals.
'We were cheering and crying at the same time,' Cherie Paul said at the time.
'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, but there was also a deep sadness, because Paul should have been there to pat Calsher on the back and tell him how proud he was of him.'
Paul joined the Hawthorn as a father-son selection in the 2023 national draft - and is yet to play senior footy this season as he recovers from a stress fracture in his back.
