HAWTHORN’s first-to-fourth year players haven’t been back a week yet but Angus Litherland has already impressed the Hawks with his commitment to training.
Litherland made his debut in 2014, playing 13 games across half-back, where his penetrating kick and reliable form saw him named the Club’s Best First Year Player.
The 22-year-old has been back training since Monday and impressed not only with his training but also his leadership to his younger teammates.
After waiting four years to earn his senior debut, it seems the defender is keen to see even more senior action next year and cement his place in Alastair Clarkson’s 22.
“‘Gus’ has been great,” Head Fitness Coach Andrew Russell told hawthornfc.com.au
“He’s really working on his leadership as well, so he’s talking and directing a lot and teach those other guys.
“He’s also training at a really high quality, good standard.
“We’ll be expecting big things from him next year.”
Hawthorn players with one to four years experience returned for pre-season training on Monday, two weeks before the full squad returns on 2 December.
Among the group is dual premiership player Bradley Hill and exciting youngsters such as Billy Hartung and Jed Anderson.
Also back training are recruits James Frawley and Jonathan O’Rourke, while Isaac Smith, Brian Lake and Jonathan Simpkin joined in training early on Wednesday.
Angus Litherland directs James Frawley on the first day of pre-season training.
But former rookie Dallas Willsmore, upgraded to the senior list earlier this month, and midfielder Alex Woodward have stolen the show.
The pair have returned in good condition and have already impressed Russell with their output on the track.
“There have been a lot of good guys but probably Dallas Willsmore,” he said of those who have been particularly impressive.
“He’s come back with a great attitude and he’s really looking good at his stage.
“‘Woody’ also looks good – he’s so motivated to plat AFL footy and you can see that in the way he trains.
“You can see if they’re passionate and want to play by the way they train, and that’s what we’re seeing from him at the moment.”
Overall, Russell has been impressed by the condition in which Hawthorn’s younger brigade has returned.
“The guys are training really well, we’re really pleased,” he said. “They’ve come back in a great frame of mind, they’re enthusiastic and we can’t fault them at this stage.
“The have pretty solid programs when they’re away from the Club that we give them before they come back, so they come back in good shape.
“We get back pretty much straight into it.”
Dallas Willsmore in action.
Hawthorn’s first-to-fourth year players will train for another week and a half before the full squad returns.
The list will then train fully together before heading off for a pre-season training camp in Queensland before Christmas.
“We want these guys to go pretty hard and be in better shape than the other guys when they come back,” Russell said.
“That motivates the other guys when they come back in because they have something to chase, which is always great.
“We’ll continue to build their loads in the next week and a half by throwing a whole lot of different game stress at them and running and conditioning-type drills.
“Then when the older guys get back we’ll have a week and a half of training before we head off on our camp in Queensland.
“That’s where we really put some work into them and get them in a fatigued state before they can rest up at Christmas.”
