Standing in Reserve: The players ready to make the step up
We look at the options that Sam Mitchell can call upon, should he decide that a shake up is in order.
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Season 2023 never had delusions of grandeur for the Hawthorn Football Club. There were no (realistic) thoughts of finals for this year. What there was, however, were distinct pathways for player development, from early season exposure at AFL level, to development at Box Hill under the guidance of Andy Collins and Zane Littlejohn.
The reality of the journey the club has embarked on has set in earlier than most Hawthorn fans expected, and after admittedly ordinary 0-2 start, it is clear that the journey that has been started, is closer to base camp than some may have hoped.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, with a number of silver linings appearing over the first couple of rounds of football.
Will Day has transitioned seamlessly into a midfield role from his initial half back flank position and was voted as Hawthorn’s Most Valuable Player in Round 2, only his second game in the midfield unit.
Jai Newcombe is figuring out that being the number one midfielder means the opposition will put plenty of time into you. He was better in Round 2 and will continue to develop an understanding of what is required for him to impact football matches when targeted.
James Worpel seems to be back to, or at least on the way to his Peter Crimmins Medal winning form of 2019, and is getting first hands on the football, winning clearances, driving the ball forward and leading a midfield unit missing the likes of Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara from previous years.
Josh Ward looks like a talented young player with a year of experience under his belt. He was very good against Essendon, and started well against Sydney, before fading. He needs time, but his talent is undeniable.
Cam Mackenzie burst onto the scene against the Bombers, but found it tougher going against an extremely strong, and deep, Sydney midfield. There were plenty of positives though, with Mackenzie winning two of his six centre bounce and plenty of contested possessions.
Connor Macdonald, much like Ward, looks more settled in his role at senior level this season, and while Macdonald hasn’t seen a breakout game, or even a large portion of midfield time yet this season, it’s clear that when Hawthorn will play well, Macdonald will be involved.
What comes after this group of youngsters is the key to Hawthorn being able to take the next step this year and into the future. Who are these players, and what can supporters expect from them in 2023? For the purpose of this exercise, we’ll assess groups of players and their likeliness to contribute at senior level.
The next cabs off the rank
The club has already called on the services of serial pest and agitator Sam Butler, who came off the bench against the Swans at the SCG. Butler is a crafty half-forward who will be aiming to find more of the football than he has in his previous AFL outings, while bringing high level pressure and energy.
The heir apparent in our defensive unit, Denver Grainger Barras is fresh off the back of a strong VFL performance, taking intercept marks (11 marks total) and finding a lot of the football (20 disposals). He’s still raw, and key position players take longer to develop, but he needs to be played, and soon.
In a forward line that is struggling to score goals, Tyler Brockman is pushing his case off the back of 3.2 with a couple of goal assists in the Box Hill win against Sydney’s Reserves on Sunday morning. His ability both in the air and on the ground would give the Hawks a different look inside 50.
A couple of big bodies who might be able to help our midfield unit, Cooper Stephens and Ned Long are waiting in the wings for the Hawthorn debut and season debut respectively. Stephens had an interrupted pre-season with a bout of concussion in the intraclub match but is highly regarded by Sam Mitchell. Long is a powerful runner with a big frame, who’s tough in the contest and clean by hand. He will get opportunities throughout the year.
A step further back, but not far away
The success of Cam Mackenzie early this season, and the pre-season hype around him, means we may not have to wait too long to see first round pick Josh Weddle make his AFL debut. Weddle made his VFL debut as a tall defender last weekend, and his versatility will be key to his ability to hold a spot at AFL level over the course of the season.
After two injury riddled years on Hawthorn’s senior list, newly rookied Seamus Mitchell is starting to find the continuity and consistency he needed to show his skills and talents. In a wide-ranging discussion with Hawks Insiders, Box Hill President Ed Sill spoke about how Mitchell can be considered almost like a first-year player, but with some serious weapons.
“But first game last year against Collingwood he reminded me of one of those, really quick Gaelic football where they've got those beautiful like that tap, and they run at 100 miles per hour, and they bounce, either way. He did that a bit again on Sunday, where it has been given license. It's your primary tool, use it, use your soft feet and charge forward.”
Another powerful inside midfielder with beautiful skills in close, Henry Hustwaite will be another youngster pushing his case for an AFL debut in the coming rounds. Hustwaite can play inside or off a half back flank, using the ball well by hand and foot.
The Hawks are trying to find the best way to use young ruckmen Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek, but there is another ruck/forward in Max Ramsden who is pushing his case for a potential AFL debut in 2023, with Ed Sill commenting on how quickly development can happen.
“It happens really quickly, you know, Ramsden, last year after the mid-season draft, two or three weeks in, I’m going ‘Oh, this is a bit of a challenge’. Then he played down at Frankston, and he was best on ground at half time, you know, picking the ball off his toes and moving either way, and then on Sunday (Practice match against Essendon) he’s kicked four goals.”
Slower burns, but plenty to like
A small forward who can play as an inside midfielder, Jack O’Sullivan has surprised a few in his short time at the football club. Strong in close, a willing tackler, and a consistent goal threat, O’Sullivan has commenced his apprenticeship at Box Hill and will be one to keep an eye on.
Catch him if you can, Hawthorn’s own speed merchant Bailey Macdonald loves to run and carry and will spend the majority of his first season lighting up the wings of Box Hill City Oval with his dash from back to forward.
An injured riddled pre-season hasn’t helped Jai Serong in his bid to add to his AFL games tally. Serong debuted late in 2022, and the Jack Gunston-style forward will be looking to break back into the side when he is fit and healthy.
Another spring-heeled forward with an eye for goal, Josh Bennetts has turned a few heads with some AFL attributes in his first five months at the Hawks. Bennetts was the Eastern Ranges Best and Fairest before joining Hawthorn as a Category B rookie, and while he may have a while to go before he plays at AFL level, there are some tools there which may help him follow in the footsteps of Cat B alumni, Changkouth Jiath.
In the medical waiting room
Not a place any young (or senior) player wants to be, injuries have decimated what would have been Emerson Jeka’s opportunity to replace Mitch Lewis early in 2023. A gifted forward who leads at the football and uses it beautifully off both feet, Jeka will be desperate to get back to full health as soon as possible.
Another in the same boat is Josh Morris, who is coming off a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season after showing some positive signs late in 2022. Both he and Fionn O’Hara are running half back flank type players who will be looking to play consistently at VFL level before they push for a place in Hawthorn’s side.
Sam Mitchell has been clear all off-season that the Hawthorn Football Club is on a journey, and even though the Hawks might be further back than most fans had hoped, that doesn’t mean there isn’t light at the end of the tunnel, and for fans who are looking for reasons to hold on to their footballing joy in season 2023, look no further than the youngsters who are looking to break into the Hawthorn team. They’re ready and waiting eagerly for an opportunity to prove themselves.
Jacob koschitzke was selected in the U18 National Championship as the fullback. He beat the likes of Ben King, won many one on one contests, and more notably his intercept marking was his strength.
Why don't Hawthorn give him a few games at fullback where he has a natural ability to play his trade?