HAWTHORN midfielder Alex Woodward made a successful return from his third knee reconstruction on Sunday afternoon.
Woodward played his first game in more than 12 months, lining up for Box Hill Hawks' development side against Northern Blues at Box Hill City Oval.
He played just a half of football - as planned - but had an enormous impact.
The 2014 JJ Liston Trophy winner - drafted by the Hawks with pick 53 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft - had 13 disposals at the first change, and added another five in the second quarter to finish with 18 for the day.
Woodward also won two clearances, laid three tackles and sent the Hawks' inside 50 on two occasions.
It was a superb return from the popular 23-year-old, who has played two AFL games so far in his time at Hawthorn - both in 2014.
Box Hill's development side marked Woodward's return with a win.
Two of Woodward's fellow Hawthorn-listed rookies, Lachie Langford (two goals) and Luke Surman (one goal), both hit the scoreboard.
