The stats
AFL games: 3
Disposals per game: 13
Marks: 1.7
Kicks: 7.3
Tackles: 4.3
Total goals: 1
Review
In his first year at the club, James Cousins knocked the door down for a senior debut.
Playing nine games at VFL level for Box Hill throughout the year, the 19-year old consistently churned out big numbers.
Showing himself as an able big-bodied midfielder at VFL level, Cousins averaged 24 disposals, five marks and five tackles for the Hawthorn affiliate.
The 46th pick in last year’s rookie draft was rewarded for his form with a debut in the memorable win over Sydney in Round 10.
Cousins would play a total of three senior games before a shoulder injury cut his year short. However the contested ball bull still did enough to impress his teammates, with the Hawks nominating Cousins as the best first year player for 2017.
A word from: Brett Ratten
“We saw a good snapshot of him before he hurt his shoulder at VFL level and had to have a shoulder operation that put him out for the rest of the year.
“But he is tough, hard and really a no-fuss, old-fashioned footballer in the way he goes about it. He’s always in and around the contest. He is probably better overhead than a lot of people give him credit for at his size.
“But he is one that will really benefit from getting AFL experience in 2017 and he is one that could rise really quickly in putting his name up for AFL footy next year.”
