In brief
AFL matches: 14
Average disposals per game: 11.4
Average hit-outs per game: 23.2
Goals: 6
VFL matches: 5
Average disposals per game: 11.6
Average hit-outs per game: 34.2
Goals: 5
Review
FOR ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, 2015 was very much a tale of two halves.
Ceglar enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, before injury restricted him in the second half.
With just 17 AFL games to his name at the start of the season, the 24-year-old earned selection for the Hawks’ season opener.
He partnered fellow ruckman Ben McEvoy against Geelong Cats in Round 1, before going on to play the first 13 matches of the season along either McEvoy or Hale (who both spent time on the sidelines through injury).
Ceglar was a consistent contributor in that streak of consecutive games – collecting 10 or more disposals in 10 or those matches and 20 or more hit-outs in nine.
The mobile big man played an important role against North Melbourne in Round 5, also floating forward to kick two goals, had a big influence in the Hawks’ Round 8 loss to Sydney and Round 13 win against Essendon.
On the back of his strong run in the senior side, Ceglar signed a two-year contract extension, which will see him remain a Hawk until the end of 2017.
“I still haven’t played a lot of games – and you look at the good players, guys like Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis, and Luke Hodge – the gap between their best and their worst is minimal, so closing that game and being a quality performer week-in, week-out is my goal,” Ceglar said after re-signing.
But shortly after, the 204-centimetre big man was omitted (following the Hawks’ Round 14 win against Collingwood), returning to play some strong performances at VFL level before being hampered by a niggling back injury.
He returned to the senior side in Round 19, but it was his last appearance at AFL level for the year, before playing in Box Hill’s qualifying final win and grand final defeat.
With David Hale retiring after a three-peat of premierships, 2016 looms as a big opportunity for Ceglar to stamp himself as a regular component of Hawthorn’s team.
GM - Football Operations Chris Fagan says...
“He had a strong start to the year, but then got an injury to his back,” Fagan said.
“It wasn’t a massively serious injury, but it caused him some discomfort for about a month and a half.
“Ben McEvoy got back into the team at that point and established himself with some strong performances, and Cegs couldn’t quite get back to play enough games to challenge for a spot in the team.
“With Haley retiring, there’s going to be some golden opportunities for him to really step up and take on the mantle of trying to be one of the really good ruckmen in the AFL.
“He’s got a lot to look forward to.”
In the news
VIDEO: Ask a Hawk: Ceglar
NEWS: Two more years for Ceglar
VIDEO: Play Your Role: Ceglar
