WHILE Hawthorn has claimed three premierships from four AFL Grand Final appearances in his time at the club, Brendan Whitecross has been reduced to watching on as those around him achieved the ultimate success.
But now, despite enduring a rocky road this year returning from the second reconstruction of his right knee, Whitecross is finally set to again be part of a finals campaign.
The Hawks are chasing a top-two finish on the AFL ladder and Box Hill is sitting on top of the VFL ladder.
“That’s one thing that I’ve missed out on for most of my career – I’ve played maybe a handful of finals – but when it comes to the crunch time I’ve been injured,” a buoyant Whitecross said.
“I’ve missed my fair share of grand finals, both at AFL and VFL level, so that’s probably one thing that’s really driving me now is that we’re getting so close and I want to taste some success in finals footy whichever level it may be.”
After earning a call-up in Round 3 against the Western Bulldogs for his first AFL appearance since the 2013 Preliminary Final, Whitecross found himself back at Box Hill after four appearances before being forced back onto the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder.
But having recovered and returned again to the Box Hill side, Whitecross has played the past four matches.
He collected 20 disposals against both Geelong and Northern Blues in the past fortnight, and is enjoying his football as much as ever with his body in as good a shape as it can be.
“I’ve had three weeks off at the back end of this season but I’ve also had two years out of the game so my body’s feeling great, albeit the shoulder was a bit sore there for a few weeks," Whitecross said.
“It’s been a bit of an up and down year but to be honest, I’ll take what I’ve had this year over the last two years – at least I’m back playing footy and doing what I love so its all on the way up from here.”
Playing mostly across half-forward as well as spending time through the midfield and half-back, Whitecross recognises the challenge that lies in front of him if he is break back into a senior side that has won 10 of its past 12 matches and boasts a shrinking injury list.
“That’s one of the advantages and disadvantages I guess of being at a successful club - you’re relying on poor form or injury and fortunately that’s just not happening," he said.
“So for me personally the focus now is that the VFL side put their best foot forward coming into finals and are not just playing well but winning games… and if for whatever reason the AFL side needs to call on some players then we’re going to have some there to choose from.”
Outside of football, Whitecross has completed part of a carpentry apprenticeship, which he plans to finish post-football, and has also managed to find himself a role as the team’s resident landscaper.
“Funnily enough even though I was doing carpentry I found myself being a landscaper for a few of the boys at the footy club," he said.
“I’ve done David Hale’s place, I did the backyard at Tim O’Brien and Alex Woodward’s house and Hodgey’s yard.”
While Whitecross may have proven his versatility off the field, it’s on it that this utility is hoping to do his best work for a while yet to come, with his eyes set firmly on making up for lost time this September.
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