Name: Jack Fitzpatrick
Height: 200 cm
Weight: 99 kg
Age: 24
Debut: 2011
Games: 22
Goals: 24
Drafted: Melbourne, 2009 NAB AFL Draft, pick No. 50
Trade: The former Dee joined Hawthorn in exchange for pick No. 94, on the penultimate day of the 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period.
What the 2015 AFL Season Guide said: Played the first three games of 2014 without having any real impact, albeit he was knocked out in the opening match. Played well in the VFL as a ruckman-forward and was given another opportunity late in the season, playing the final two games and kicking four goals. With Melbourne still trying to fill the ruck-forward spot, he will be given every chance to prove his ability.
Where will he play? Hawthorn Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright said Fitzpatrick would help to fill the void left by retired ruckman-forward David Hale. The 24-year-old will bolster the Hawks’ big man stocks, which currently contain Ben McEvoy, Jon Ceglar and first-year draftee Marc Pittonet.
2015: Fitzpatrick played three senior matches for the Demons, between Round 8 and Round 10. He averaged 9.3 disposals and 3.7 marks per game in matches against Western Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and Collingwood. He kicked one goal in the Demons’ games against the Power and Magpies.
State league form: With limited opportunities at senior level, Fitzpatrick became a consistent contributor at VFL level for Melbourne’s affiliate, Casey Scorpions. He played thirteen games for the Scorpions, finishing second in their best and fairest count. He averaged 12.8 disposals and 5.4 marks per game and on five occasions he was named in the Scorpions’ best six players. Fitzpatrick’s best game was arguably in Round 10 against North Ballarat, when he collected 25 disposals and 10 marks in a 20-point loss.
