There’s not too many 17-year-olds who get drafted and go on to play 250 AFL games.
But that’s exactly the feat that Liam Shiels is set to achieve come Sunday.
The Hawks took Shiels at Pick 34 in the 2008 National Draft, making him the youngest player to be selected in that crop.
The triple premiership player has proven one of the most durable players in the competition and is currently the longest-serving Hawthorn player.
“I’ve spent almost half my life here now,” Shiels said reflecting on his career to date.
“I was very lucky to get drafted as a 17-year-old – I think it was the last draft where clubs could take players that age.
“To be here 14 years later, playing 250 games, I feel very grateful and lucky.”
Shiels was in the midst of his Year 12 studies when he got drafted by Hawthorn and went on to train part-time while he completed his VCE.
“Whenever I wanted to get out of some school work, I just said ‘I had some footy on’”, Shiels laughed.
“And whenever I wanted to get out of training I just said, ‘the homework has stacked up this week, I need to take a night off’.”
On the back of a career spanning 14 seasons, Shiels will chalk up his 250th game when the Hawks host Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
But his debut campaign – where he played 11 games – remains one of his favourites.
Shiels made an instant impact too, earning Hawthorn’s Best First Year Player award.
“Being in school for my first year at the footy club, I came in not expecting to play many games at all,” Shiels said.
“But it worked out that a couple of the boys got injured throughout that year, so I got a couple of games that I perhaps probably didn’t deserve.
“It definitely helped my development, it was one of the best years of my life.”
Since making his debut in 2009, Shiels has played 249 games, including being part of an impressive three premierships.
His hard running and work ethic is perhaps his greatest characteristic, something which he has built on since his early days with the Eastern Ranges.
2015 was one of Shiels’ best seasons to date, averaging 22 disposals a game and being somewhat ‘released’ from the tagging role.
He also averaged a 7.7 tackles a game that year, ranking third in the competition, trailing only North Melbourne's Andrew Swallow and West Coast's Brownlow Medallist Matthew Priddis.
Known for his leadership around the club, Shiels was awarded Hawthorn’s Best Clubman in 2017, the same year he was made joint vice-captain alongside Isaac Smith.
Now in 2022, the 31-year-old continues to provide mentorship for the young, up-and-coming Hawks.
On Sunday, Shiels will run out for his milestone game alongside close friend and teammate Luke Breust, who is also celebrating his 250th game on the same day.
“The footy club has done a lot for me throughout my life, so it’s a very proud moment for myself and my family,” Shiels said.
“To play alongside one of my best mates and share 250 games with him makes it extra special.”
Come along to celebrate Breust and Shiels’ 250th milestone on Sunday at 2.10pm against the Pies at the MCG.
To purchase tickets to the game visit ticketmaster.
