HAWTHORN recruit Jonathan O’Rourke will complement outside runners Bradley Hill and Isaac Smith according to Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright.
The highly talented O’Rourke joined officially joined Hawthorn on Thursday morning, after the Hawks and Giants agreed on a trade for the 20 year old.
The Hawks gave up picks 19 and 40 in this year’s draft and received O’Rourke and selection 43 in return.
Wright, who brokered the deal with the Giants says the classy ball user will add versatility to the Hawks and can complement and add to the run provided by dual premiership wingmen Bradley Hill and Isaac Smith.
But O’Rourke, who was originally taken with pick 2 in the 2012 National Draft, can as both an inside and outside midfielder who is known best for his speed and endurance, as well as his good decision making.
“We’re really rapt to be able to get him because he can play that dual role,” Wright told hawthornfc.com.au
“That’s something we’ve been looking for – we have a lot of really good insiders and two or three really good outsiders but he can do a bit of both.
“He’s able to win the ball at the stoppage, he can get to the outside, he’s got good endurance and speed and he’s an outstanding user of the footy.
“He makes really good decisions with the ball and can even play half forward and half-back so he’s going to be really versatile in our group.
“I think too, in time he’ll be able to push through with Sam (Mitchell) and the other boys as genuine inside midfielders.
“From that perspective he offers a lot.”
Touted as one of the best midfielders in his draft class of 2012, O’Rourke’s impact in the AFL has been limited, however, due to injury.
He was restricted to just one senior game in his debut season in 2013 due to hamstring injuries and a broken jaw.
Watch highlights of O'Rourke in action.
In 2014 he managed eight senior games and 10 others in the NEAFL, where he starred by averaging 25.3 disposals and showed his talent.
Wright has no doubt though, that the midfielder can reach his potential with the Hawks.
“Other than the shoulder, there’s been nothing major from a body perspective but ones that obviously take time to heal and time to get over,” he said.
“He hasn’t had a really clear run at it but we’re excited and hope that he’ll get that here.”
Wright also revealed O’Rourke has been on Hawthorn’s radar since before he was drafted in 2012, having followed him during his time with the AIS.
“We’ve known him for four or five years and know he’s highly talented,” Wright said of the new Hawk.
“It’s probably the fact that we weren’t able to get in and get a pick that would be able to secure him and you understand that that’s part of it, that some of the guys in the top 10 we just can’t get near because of where we’re finishing on the ladder.
“We always watch them and watch with envy sometimes but in this case, we’ve been lucky to be involved at the right time to get him.”
O’Rourke is currently overseas holidaying with some of his former GWS and TAC Cup Calder Cannons teammates and will return to Australia next week.
“I’ve sent him a text message,” Wright said. “He’s back early next week so he’ll be out here and be in a Hawks jumper very soon.”