#8: Shane Savage
The stats
Draft: Pick #75, 2008
Position: Midfielder/Defender
AFL games: 111 (2008-present)
Goals: 53
Premierships: 0
Review
New Zealand born midfielder Shane Savage comes in at #8.
Savage was drafted to Hawthorn with pick #75 in the 2008 National Draft from the Dandenong Stingrays.
He found his feet at Box Hill for most of 2009 after recovering from a shoulder injury, making his AFL debut in Round 20 against Adelaide.
Savage struggled during 2010 failing to earn a senior call up, however the following year he vastly improved.
He played 17 games in 2011 before another shoulder injury put a stop to his season on the eve of a Hawthorn finals campaign.
Despite the injury it was Savage's most consistent season, averaging 18 touches and booting 16 goals.
His rapid improvement earnt him a NAB Rising star nomination after he took a career best 14 marks, had 26 disposals and kicked two goals against St Kilda in round eight.
2012 saw Savage earn 21 senior games, however he was dropped again on the eve of another finals campaign.
However an injury to Jordan Lewis gave the midfielder a second chance, starting as substitute for all three finals, which finished in a 10-point defeat to Sydney on Grand Final day.
In and out of the senior team in 2013, Savage missed out on selection for the qualifying final against Sydney. However he was a part of a VFL premiership victory against Geelong.
Savage was then traded to St Kilda along with pick 17 for ruckman Ben McEvoy, departing the Hawks a 56 game player.
Since being traded in 2013 he has played 55 games for St Kilda, 111 AFL games across his career so far.
Top 10 Countdown:
#10: Simon Taylor
#9: Kris Barlow
