Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy is in the midst of his most successful season to date, currently sitting at sixth in the league for total hit outs (423).
Averaging 33.4 hit outs a game in 2017, the ruckman’s performance is a far cry from his 19.2 average in the 2016 season.
His last month of football has been particularly impressive, with McEvoy registering at least 34 hit outs a match since Round 7.
That particular clash against Melbourne saw McEvoy reach a career-high of 53 hit outs to go with his two goals and four tackles, proving the 27-year old has struck a fine patch of form.
Drafted to St Kilda at pick 9 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, McEvoy spent six seasons at the Saints before being traded to Waverley at the end of the 2013 season in exchange for a first round pick and midfielder Shane Savage.
It didn’t take long for McEvoy to assume the post of number one ruckman with the Hawks, and was a significant contributor in Hawthorns ’14 and ’15 final series.
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The 200cm ruckman was full of optimism early in the season, despite the club’s poor start.
After an 86-point Round 4 loss to Geelong saw the ruckman’s 150th game celebrated in demure circumstances, McEvoy said:
“Like everyone else I am determined to make something of this year.”
And after a patch of form that has seen him climb from 125 to 85 in the Schick Player Ratings, it seems McEvoy is doing exactly that.
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