With the 2014 season now complete, hawthornfc.com.au will review the season of those who played a senior game for the Hawks in 2014 with the help of GM - Football Operations, Chris Fagan.
Returning from a serious knee injury is no easy feat but Matthew Suckling did just that and with conviction in season 2014.
Having not played a game of footy in over 12 months after suffering the injury in the pre-season of 2013, Suckling made his long awaited return during the pre-season of 2014.
And he picked up from where he left off.
Suckling made his official senior return in Round 1 before going on to play 23 of a possible 25 matches, including the 2014 premiership. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
The popular 26 year old’s redemption for being part of a losing Grand Final in 2012 and then missing last year’s triumph was almost derailed by another knee complaint late in the season, when he was forced to miss Round 23 and the Qualifying Final.
Thankfully, he was ready to resume in the Preliminary Final and took the chance to play in another finals series and in a premiership with both hands.
The lethal left footer was brilliant during the finals, with 20 disposals against the Power and 18 against the Swans and a goal in each game to be a vital contributor to the back-to-back premiership victory.
His performances in those games, where he hit targets by foot at will and sliced through the defensive structure of the opposition with his skills mirrored that of his form throughout the season.
Operating at 78.9 per cent efficiency by hand and foot, Suckling averaged 20.8 disposals per game in 2014 and was ranked first at the Club for rebound 50s as being ranked in the top 10 for forward 50 entries.
He actually took little time to return to the outstanding form that made him a vital weapon for the Hawks in 2012.
He picked up 30 disposals in Round 3 but bettered that effort in Round 4 with another 30 disposal game, but this time he also contributed two goals in the 99-point win.
Three times Suckling had 30 or more disposals (Round 3, 4 and 7) and 11 times had 20 or more in his 23 games for the year.
In an undermanned team that took on Port Adelaide in Round 10, Suckling starred with 28 disposals, eight marks and four tackles, while also showcasing his leadership capabilities across half-back and through the midfield.
Suckling was also important in the crucial win over the Crows at Adelaide Oval in Round 17 with 26 disposals, seven inside 50s and six marks in one of his best games for the season.
He was one of the stories of the premiership and no one was more happy for Suckling than two of his best mates – teammates Luke Breust and Ben Stratton – who spoke during the finals of their extra motivation to win a premiership for him.
The New South Welshman proved the serious knee injury did nothing to harm his kicking skills and given the high level of play he produced in his return season, his future looks bright in 2015 and beyond.
You get the feeling 2014 was just a warm up for Suckling, who has played just 77 career games.
What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “It was a great story for him to be involved in the premiership this year after the loss in 2012 and then missing out last year.
“He had some great games off half-back, his ball use was outstanding all year and he was able to hit the scoreboard, which was great from his position on the ground. He really enjoyed that goal he kicked in the third quarter of the Grand Final.”Matthew Suckling in the news in 2014
- Premiership leaves Suckling speechless
- How Suckling motivated the Hawks to victory
- Suckling makes premiership even sweeter for Breust
- Stratton’s motivation for best mate Suckling
- Relieved Suckling gets his chance
Videos featuring Matthew Suckling in 2014
- Suckling speaks after the premiership
- #everymoment: Suckling
Best mates: Suckling, Stratton and Breust enjoy the premiership.
