In brief
AFL matches: 19
Disposals per game: 11.1
Hitouts per game: 19.5
Goals: 12
VFL matches: 4
Disposals per game: 14.5
Hitouts per game: 36.25
Review
TWO years, two flags.
Ben McEvoy’s life as a Hawk couldn’t have started any better.
The 26-year-old enjoyed another strong season, playing in 19 senior matches and his second premiership.
McEvoy played the first six games of the season, before sustaining a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a month.
Upon his return from injury, the experienced ruckman had to force his way back into the senior side, spending four weeks at VFL level.
He was named among Box Hill Hawks’ best performers in all four matches, and tallied 92 hit-outs in two matches before being recalled for Hawthorn’s Round 15 match against Fremantle.
The senior recall sparked some of McEvoy’s best performances for the season, with the big man dominating against the Dockers, Sydney Swans and Carlton.
He proved a threat not just in the ruck, but also up forward.
Pushing inside 50 to kick two goals in each of the Hawks’ Round 15, 16 and 17 victories, McEvoy added another element to the Hawks’ potent forward line.
He finished with 12 disposals, 24 hit-outs, seven tackles and six marks against the Dockers in one of his strongest performances for the season.
McEvoy continued his strong form in the run to September, primarily in tandem with David Hale.
The duo played an important role in the Hawks’ finals campaign and was a key component of the grand final victory, negating the influence of West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui.
GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan says...
“Ben’s done well – he’s been here two years and won two flags,” Fagan said.
“He had a bit of a patch early in the year when he got injured and had to come back through Box Hill, but he played some really good games at Box Hill to force his way back into the AFL side.
“Once he got back into the AFL side he stayed there, because we were just rapt with his work rate, his second and third efforts and his competitiveness.
“He took that to the best level it’s been since he’s been at the club and he was an influential player for us in the second half of the year and during the finals.”
In the news
VIDEO: Speed Dating With Spangher: McEvoy
NEWS: Big return for ruckman McEvoy
VIDEO: Ben McEvoy after the grand final
NEWS: Celebrating Grassroots: Ben McEvoy
VIDEO: Play Your Role: McEvoy
