HAWTHORN has added a fourth ruckman to its list, signing club chief executive Justin Reeves' 209cm son Ned as part of the new pre-season supplemental selection period.

The 20-year-old big man began training with the Hawks straight after Christmas before stopping a fortnight ago, as per AFL rules.

Hawthorn had a spot open because of premiership player Will Langford's retirement.

Reeves played in the Hawks' intraclub game in mid-February and also in the last quarter of the practice game against Carlton the following week.

Coach Alastair Clarkson and football boss Graham Wright broke the news to him of his signing and he will resume training at Hawthorn on Friday.

"I'm stoked at the moment – it's a dream come true," Reeves told the club's website.

"(I will) hopefully try to be a bit like (teammate Jon) Ceglar, so mainly play in the ruck, hopefully go well there, then be able to push down forward and kick some goals."

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Reeves, who has inked a one-year rookie contract, will almost certainly spend this season developing at Box Hill, with Ben McEvoy, Ceglar and Marc Pittonet ahead of him in the pecking order.

The ex-Oakleigh Charger was on Box Hill's VFL list last year, but didn't play a match, instead competing for St Kevin's in the Victorian Amateur Football Association's Premier Division.

Reeves also represented the competition's under-19 Big V side against a Victoria Country team in July last year.

He attended the AFL Draft Combine two years ago and posted a score of 29 out of 30 for the kicking test.