IT’S a new year and we’re pretty excited about the challenges that lie ahead for the team in 2016.
There’s sure to be plenty of talented young Hawks vying for senior berths over the next couple of months of pre-season training and NAB Challenge matches.
We’ve taken a look at 10 second-to-sixth year players who will be hoping they can push their names into the frame for regular senior selection this year.
Name: Dallas Willsmore
Age: 20
Guernsey: 20
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 83 kg
Games (2015): 0
Games (career): 0
Drafted: Pick no. 17, 2014 Rookie Draft
Dallas Willsmore will be hoping he can find an opportunity to make his senior debut in 2016.
The North Ballarat Rebels product, from Underbool in north-west Victoria, enjoyed a promising 2015 year playing a variety of positions at VFL level, and will be looking to build on that this year.
According to the 2015 AFL Season Guide…
In his first season on the rookie list, Willsmore started slowly, but the Hawks were delighted with the form displayed by the long left-foot kick once he graduated to the Box Hill seniors, where he kicked 12 goals, including a pearler in the (2014) Grand Final.
Shapes as a wing/half-forward as his game and endurance continue to develop. Was elevated to the senior list at the end of last season.
In 2015…
Willsmore performed well for Box Hill and was named in their best five times, playing across half forward, wing and half back in order to develop his versatility.
Development coach Rob McCartney said Willsmore was one of the Hawks’ most consistent VFL performers in the first half of the season, and the 20-year-old finished with 16 goals from his 21 games, including a bag of five in the Hawks’ qualifying final win.
Where would he slot in?
Having moved up jumper numbers to number 20 – vacated by retired triple-premiership ruckman David Hale – Willsmore will also be hoping to crack in to the Hawks’ best 22 for his debut in 2016.
He will be one of a number of players hoping to squeeze in across half forward and through the midfield, but will have to consistently push his case alongside the likes of versatile youngsters including Daniel Howe and James Sicily.
Pre-season update…
The skilful left footer re-joined training with the Hawks’ first-to-fourth year players in mid-November.
