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.
It’s hard to believe in 2011, Luke Breust was just a player with some potential but still a speculative pick off the rookie list.
Fast forward three seasons and the New South Welshman is a dual Hawthorn premiership player, an All Australian small forward and one of the most reliable set shot goal kickers in the competition.
In fact, the last point alone was almost unbelievable, well probably unbelievable 12 months ago as Hawks fans saw the number 22’s confidence in front of goal evaporate in front of their eyes.
But the determination and desire to continue to improve from Breust reaped rewards in 2014, where he had his best-ever season.
After bursting onto the scene as a “super sub” in his debut season in 2011, Breust’s rapid development has seen him burst onto the scene and cement his place as one of the game’s best small forwards in a short period of time.
Season 2014 saw seen the premiership Hawk achieve a career-high for goals kicked with 57 for the year from 22 home and away matches and three finals.
Booting 57 goals in a year as a small forward is exceptional, particularly when you’re at the feet of players like Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston, but to do it and manage just 12 behinds for the year is masterful.
After that disappointing end to last year in front of goal, Breust made it a priority to improve his goal kicking and worked hard with Adem Yze and David Rath to correct his routine and become a dead-eye.
He even equalled champion Sydney Swans full forward Tony Lockett’s record for goals kicked in a row, with 29.
Remarkably, he kicked a goal in each of his 22 home and away games this year and was held held goalless only once in the finals series – the Preliminary Final win over Port Adelaide, where he still managed to pick up 15 disposals and lay five important tackles.
Importantly, while Breust can kick bags of goals himself – he booted one haul of five, twice kicked four and three on nine occasions – he also brings his teammates into the game, too.
Breust led the Hawks for direct goal assists in 2014 with 30 for the season (averaging 1.2 per game) and was ranked second in the league in this area.
His value to Hawthorn isn’t just in his goal kicking ability though, but also in his capability to push into the midfield and add to the depth of Alastair Clarkson’s engine room.
The 24 year old averaged 15.3 disposals per game this year as well as 3.2 marks, 3.4 tackles and 2.3 goals.
Breust’s opening round performance set the tone for his season, with 22 disposals, six marks and five goals against the Lions in Tasmania and he was critical to the last-minute win over Essendon in Round 2 with 14 disposals and two goals.
Like many of his teammates, he was outstanding against the Saints in Round 7 with a season-high 29 disposals and four goals, while he performed well in the losses to Sydney and Port Adelaide in rounds 8 and 10, kicking three goals in each.
Again he proved a headache for Collingwood by kicking four goals to go along with his 20 disposals and in Round 15 he played the complete game with 12 disposals, three goals and a massive eight tackles against the Suns.
He was an important contributor in the finals series and particularly in the Grand Final, where he had 17 disposals, laid five tackles and kicked three goals in the win over the Swans.
Deservedly, he finished sixth in the Peter Crimmins Medal.
Again, he played every game and even increased his disposal output from 14.6 in 2012 to 15.3 this year and upped his goal kicked from 1.6 average to 2.3.
What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “It’s well documented just how well he improved his goal-kicking accuracy this year. To be up above 80 per cent for conversion is almost unheard of, so it’s a great effort by him because he hasn’t always been the most accurate and has been a bit nervous on his set shots in the past.
“He worked closely with Adem Yze and David Rath on his technique and made the most of his opportunities.
“Again, he was really good at applying pressure on opposition defenders and had an influence too, when he went into the midfield.
“You would have to say he improved as a player this year because he was named All Australian. What a journey he’s been on – he was a rookie who couldn’t get a game in Box Hill seniors four years ago and now he’s an All Australian. It’s a great story.”
Luke Breust in the news in 2014
- Suckling makes premiership even sweeter for Breust
- Goal sense: How pre-season helped Breust’s goal kicking
- Breust re-signs as he eyes more Hawk success
- Breust the best in win over Pies
- No rivalry: Gunston motivated by Breust’s goal kicking form
Videos featuring Luke Breust in 2014
- Breust speaks after the premiership
- #everymoment: Breust
