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: Kaiden Brand
Age: 21
Guernsey: 30
Height: 198 cm
Weight: 92 kg
Games (2015): 0
Games (career): 0
Drafted: Pick number 66, 2012 NAB AFL Draft
Could this year be the year Kaiden Brand makes his debut in the brown and gold?
Now entering his fourth year as a Hawk, the South Australian key defender will be hoping 2016 is the year he gets a good run at playing some senior football.
According to the 2015 AFL Season Guide…
In his second year on Hawthorn’s list (2014), the developing key defender bulked up considerably and performed well at Box Hill, playing every game for the year, mainly at full-back.
Brand has good pace, has the ability to play on talls and smalls and his foot skills have improved considerably over the past 12 months.
Unfortunately he suffered a shoulder injury in the opening NAB Challenge game of 2015 and has had a shoulder reconstruction.
In 2015…
Brand required a shoulder reconstruction after suffering an injuring in the Hawks’ opening pre-season match, before undergoing a reconstruction on his other shoulder mid-year.
He didn’t see any on-field action during the 2015 season.
Where would he slot in?
With the retirement of Brian Lake, Brand could be eyeing a debut in one of the Hawk’s key defensive spots, but will face stiff competition.
The likes of Matt Spangher, Angus Litherland and yet-to-debut defender Kurt Heatherley will also be vying for a senior berth.
Pre-season update…
Brand has been in the thick of the action since day one of pre-season, putting in plenty of hard yards in the gym and on the track.
After missing all of last year, Brand said he was looking forward to being a part of everything after a frustrating 2015.
