Adelaide’s Mitch Hinge has opened up on being in the stands for a special family moment during Hawthorn’s match against Port Adelaide a fortnight ago, with the defender labelling the experience “unique”.

Footage from the game showed Hinge on the edge of his seat as Hawks’ youngster Will McCabe, who was in the midst of his AFL debut, lined up for goal in a tense final quarter against the Power at Marvel Stadium.

When McCabe, the brother of Hinge’s partner, Amy, slotted the set shot from the pocket to level the scores, the Crows defender celebrated emphatically.

Speaking to AFC Media, Hinge, who had injured his hamstring in the Crows’ Gather Round win against Carlton a week earlier, said being there for McCabe’s debut and first AFL goal was a special moment.

“It was good fun, it was a unique opportunity, we had Will living with us during the whole off-season, so I was doing my best to sort of take him under my wing and show him the ropes,” Hinge said.

“Obviously people saw me cheering for his goal, and I felt like I didn’t do any cheering before that, it was a crazy goal and an important part of the match.

“It was a good goal, so I had to give him some credit. He hadn’t played any senior footy yet, so it was great to see him get an opportunity.

“I hadn’t really ever experienced watching footy as a bit of a fan, it’s always been around me or the teammates, so I was just able to enjoy that with Amy and her family and be part of it.”

Hinge said a lot of work went into making an AFL debut and he enjoyed being able to support his partner’s brother, who was able to get a win in his first game.

“Obviously the Club had no issues with me going over. I felt very lucky to be part of it and experience something with their family that means so much to everyone,” Hinge said.

“A debut is a big deal, so much work goes into it, from the individual, in this case it was Will, and from the family as well.

“To be part of the big entourage of family and friends was a special experience and also a way to take the small wins of me doing my hamstring the week before, we also always like seeing Port Adelaide go down.”

He also gave a cheeky insight into who his partner would support if her brother and Hinge ever played against each other, with the Crows facing the Hawks in Round 11.

“I have asked the question and strictly she goes for the Crows if I’m playing. She’s got that sorted, but she’s a bit of a bandwagoner as well, so we’ve got to make sure we win and beat them, then she’ll be a Crows fan,” Hinge said.

Hinge, meanwhile, is nearing the end of his rehab and has begun reintegrating into the main training group.

The 27-year-old said it had been a tough start to the 2026 campaign for him after missing the first four rounds with a back injury, only to then go down with a hamstring injury in his return game.

“You never really anticipate your time being spent in the rehab group, but the boys are always going to do their best to keep you a part of it,” Hinge said.

“I feel so blessed to be at this Club and in the position I am, but at the end of the day, you just really want to be playing AFL.

“You try not to focus too much on what you’re missing out on, but making sure you put your best foot forward so when you’re back in, you’re ready to go.

“I am a bit disappointed in a way but there’s plenty of football to be played and right now I am just looking to be part of that group when the whips are cracking hopefully in September.”

Hinge said his training currently had more of a “pre-season” feel, but he was continuing to work hard and tick off small rehab milestones each week.

“If you have a goal, it’s easy to turn up each day knowing that you’re going to put all your effort into being there and to get the best out of yourself and also be the best teammate,” Hinge said.

“My rehab probably comes with less of the pressure of week-to-week footy... When you're part of rehab, it’s a bit more ‘pre-season-ish’, like what are my milestones I’ve got to hit to get myself to the next part?’

“I couldn’t hold more gratitude to the strength and conditioning and performance team and the rehab team who are helping me get there.

“There was a little bit of tendon damage in my injury and what comes from that is having a little bit more of a slower approach, but I have put in some solid sessions on the track and I am feeling great about how it’s coming along, and it’s now about how we navigate getting back to playing.”

Despite the injury, Hinge said he would use the setback as motivation for a strong return.

“If I’m playing my best it’s going to ultimately help the team and this makes me hungrier to get back and get after it.

“I just really want to be part of success at this footy Club. We never want injuries, but sometimes it’s part of footy, and it’s part of my rehab at the moment to put my best foot forward and support the group where I can.

‘It’s now about building those top-end (rehab) sessions to simulate a game, and just being really ready to almost bullet-proof my body to get out and play.

“When I get back, I want to be back properly, so I’m putting my head down, getting to work, and trying to tick stuff off.”