SHEM Tatupu is eyeing a spot in Box Hill’s senior VFL side after kicking a career-best six goals for the club’s development side on Sunday.
 
The Category-B rookie, who was drafted from New Zealand at the end of 2013 after holding an international scholarship with the Hawks, is hoping to break his way into the Box Hill side after a standout performance.
 
“Yeah I thought it wasn’t too bad, I thought the lead up to the week was pretty good and yeah just did all the right things,” Tatupu said.
 
“So hopefully (I can) improve on that, (and) get up to the VFL soon.”
 
Averaging almost two goals per game this year, the 19-year-old admits he still has a lot of work in front of him as he pushes for a spot in Box Hill’s senior side to play the key forward-ruck role he has enjoyed developing into.
 
“Yeah I don’t mind forward and jumping in the ruck as well but yeah just anywhere I can get a touch really,” he said.
 
“It’s exciting and I’m enjoying it so far.”
 
The Auckland product has been able to see week-to-week improvement this season, which he credits to the work of the Hawks’ development coaches and his fellow teammates.
 
“Rob McCartney would be a big one, also Roughy – he’s a big one as well – but big ‘Monkey’ (Damian Monkhorst)…he’s had a big input and just my development as a forward and in the ruck so it’s been good.”
 
Regardless of the side he’s playing in, Tatupu is relishing being able to consistently play football after stress fractures in his foot cut short his 2014 campaign.
 
“I haven’t had any problems with my foot at the moment so hopefully it just keeps going like that and I have no worries.”