CONSTANT improvement has been the focus for Hawthorn rookie Jared Hardisty, as he adapts to life as a full-time footballer and aims to cement himself in Box Hill Hawks’ senior side.
The first-year Hawk, who joined the club from Western Australia after being selected with pick 18 in last year’s rookie draft, has been up and down between Box Hill’s senior and development sides this season.
But he can see himself improving as a footballer and is determined to continue on that path.
“I started off in the VFL, then went back down to the development side and back into the VFL team, so I’ve been a bit up and down with form,” Hardisty said.
“I’ve been playing about 50-50 between the small forward role and a midfield role, which has been different to what I’m used to, but I’m enjoying it.
Adapting to life at Hawthorn has been as much about getting used to Melbourne – and making new friends – for the 19-year-old.
“I’ve been lucky enough to move in with a host family with (fellow first-year Hawk) Teia Miles, so we’ve been hanging out a bit,” Hardisty said.
“I’ve also been fortunate enough to have an aunt and uncle who live close by, so I’ve been spending a bit of time around at their house and they’ve been looking after me well.”
The 178-centimetre midfielder-forward has found plenty of people at the club happy to guide him on his football journey.
“Brendan Whitecross has been helping me out a lot, always pointing me in the right direction, and Alex Woodward has been helping me with my midfield work and where to position myself and things like that,” Hardisty said.
“Angus Litherland has been one of the biggest mentors for me, being a WA boy as well, we’ve connected really well and have become good mates.”
Hardisty was drafted as a midfielder, and has averaged almost 20 disposals and five tackles in his six games at VFL level.
But he says combining time in the midfield as well as spending time up forward has been a big part of his development this year.
“I’m starting to get the hang of playing that forward line role,” he said.
“Hitting the scoreboard when I’m playing forward (is a focus), and making sure I’m a bit of a presence in the forward line, a bit like a Paul Puopolo - those forward 50 tackles and chase down tackles, and just making sure I’m having an impact on the game.”
Hardisty’s goal in the latter stages of 2015 is to “lock down a spot in the Box Hill VFL side,” and he’s looking up to some experienced Hawks to find ways to do that.
“I look at someone like Sam Mitchell, who just gets everything out of every day of football, so I’m trying to look up to him as much as I can and get as much out of every day as I can,” he said.
“I love footy, I love training every day and trying to better myself.
“I just want to keep improving – you can never stop improving.”
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