BEN MCEVOY is expecting to spend more time forward in 2014 as he edges closer to his Hawthorn debut.

Traded by the Saints to the Hawks during the 2013 exchange period, the experienced ruckman will be a valuable addition to the reigning premiers following the retirement of flag-winning ruckman, Max Bailey.

McEvoy, at 24 years of age is an immediate replacement for Bailey, who proved a key component in Alastair Clarkson’s premiership formula.

Working closely with both David Hale and Jarryd Roughead, the former Saint expects to add another dimension to his game in his first year with the Hawks.

The former Saint shouldered most of the ruck duties at his old club but will be given significant help by the Hawks duo this season.

That means McEvoy will be given the opportunity to spend more time forward.  

"There's obviously ‘Roughy’ and ‘Haley’ and a few tall guys on the list here, so probably how I'd been playing at St Kilda, that's not sustainable over a long time," McEvoy said.

"Hopefully we can work out that balance of playing a little bit more forward and perhaps not as much game time.

"I think the Hawks have been very good at managing those sorts of relationships. Obviously with Max Bailey managing his body over the last couple of years, they've been very good at managing and insuring the blokes can have maximum impact."

The 200cm ruckman has so far had an uninterrupted pre-season and thus had the opportunity to fast track the chance to build relationships with his new midfield teammates.

“I have been able to spend a lot of time on the track, I’ve hardly missed a session this pre-season, touch wood that that continues,” he said.

“It has been good because we’ve had a lot of quality time together out there on the track and that’ll only accelerate as we start playing games and building on those relationships.

“There are a lot of experienced guys in that midfield so it has been pretty easy to fit in there.”

St Kilda’s decision to offload their number one ruckman to Hawthorn was a shock both to the man himself and the football community.

But now, three months into training with his new club, McEvoy couldn’t be any happier.

“I was very surprised, but that’s the industry we’re in. It wasn’t completely unexpected because you know it can happen to everyone,” he said.

“I think I’m extremely privileged and very lucky to be asked to come and play for the reigning premiers and I’m thrilled to get a chance.

“I’m sure it will be a little bit weird to pull the brown and gold jumper on and especially when we play the Saints but I’m thrilled to be here and I’m very lucky.”