HAWTHORN recruit Jonathan O’Rourke is excited to begin his journey in brown and gold, revealing the culture and success at the Hawks in recent seasons was hard to ignore.
O’Rourke joined the Hawks during the AFL’s trade period after requesting a move back to his home state, Victoria.
Originally from Gisborne, the highly talented former number two draft pick found his way to the Hawks early after a deal was struck between the Hawks and his former club, GWS.
The trade saw the Hawks give up their first round pick, number 19 in this year’s National Draft as well as selection 40 in exchange for O’Rourke and pick 43.
O’Rourke’s decision to join the Club came off the back of watching it win back-to-back premierships, with the success surrounding the Hawks a deciding factor.
“I’m stoked to get the trade done and end up at a club like the Hawks,” O’Rourke told hawthornfc.com.au on Tuesday.
“From an outside point of view I’ve seen Hawthorn be in the top two teams in the competition.
“Watching them, they’re just a classy side. My impressions are pretty high – back-to-back premiers, I think that says enough.”
But more than the opportunity for success, O’Rourke saw in Hawthorn a culture that suited him upon discussions with senior Hawk officials, including Coach Alastair Clarkson.
“It’s a successful club and coming back home, I wanted to come to a good club with a good culture and I think Hawthorn is a perfect fit,” he said.
“Catching up with ‘Wrighty’ (Recruiting Manager Graham Wright) and ‘Clarko’ (Coach Alastair Clarkson) early days gave me a good insight into the club,” he said.
“Everything they said was pretty hard to just put away and ignore.
“I took it all on board and then to hear from other players who have been around or involved at Hawthorn, it’s a pretty good club to be part of, it’s exciting.”
O’Rourke had to wait just over three days before he finding his way to the Hawks, with the deal agreed and the paperwork lodged early on the first Thursday of the exchange period.
He was holidaying with now ex-teammates at the time, including close mate and GWS player Tomas Bugg.
“I was away at the time so to find out it happened early in the trade period made the holiday a lot easier because it was all out of the way,” he said.
“Tom Bugg, who I’ve lived with up in Sydney, I was away with him but I’d told him earlier so it was good.
“They (ex-teammates) were fine, they were happy for me. They were excited as much as I was so that was good.”
Jonathan O'Rourke in his new colours.
Touted as one of the best midfielders in his draft class of 2012, O’Rourke’s impact in the AFL has been limited due to injury.
He was restricted to just one senior game in his debut season in 2013 because of hamstring injuries and then a broken jaw.
Watch highlights of O'Rourke in action.
His luck was better in 2014, managing eight senior games and 10 others in the NEAFL, where he displayed his undisputed talent by starring with an average of 25.3 disposals per game.
The 188cm midfielder can play both as an outside runner and an inside midfielder but hopes to slot into a team that has won the last two premierships wherever he can.
“Definitely, it’s daunting,” he said of trying to break into the 22.
“They’ve got that success and that winning culture, something I’m looking forward to hopefully being part of.
“I hope to fit in wherever I can. I can play on a wing or playing inside as well or even half forward or half-back flank but I’m pretty happy to play anywhere.
“I’m just looking forward to trying to break into the side.”
