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.

2013 was arguably David Hale’s best ever season in the AFL, establishing himself as a consistent high-level performer but 2014 probably didn’t see him reach the same heights.

Hale would be the first person to admit his start to the season was less than desirable and it wasn’t until late in the year that he was able to find the outstanding form, which made him such a valuable part of the 2013 premiership.

Season 2014 was a challenging one for Hale, like it was for all ruckmen on Hawthorn’s list.

He found himself in a three-way fight to nail down one of two ruck spots in the best 22 and even found himself out of favour late in the year - in rounds 17 and 18 - when he was dropped to the VFL.

His response to that challenge from Alastair Clarkson was what his coaches would have hoped though, returning to the AFL team after outstanding performances for Box Hill.

He never looked back from that point.

After being held goalless in six of his first 14 games for the season, Hale kicked a goal in each of his matches from Round 19, when he returned to the senior team.

It seemed his omission was a wake-up call of sorts, or at the very least the motivation and spark he needed to kick-start his campaign towards a second premiership with the Hawks.

His response was emphatic, raising his disposals, hit outs, marks, tackles and goals average for the year in his last eight games.

Hale went from averaging 9.1 disposals in his first 14 games to 12 from Round 19 to the Grand Final, from 16 hits outs to 17, from 2.9 marks to 5.1, from 2.2 tackles to 3.0 and most importantly, from below a goal a game average (0.7) to almost two per game (1.5).

He declared he was back in form and will no doubt be part of Hawthorn’s finals campaign with an outstanding performance against Geelong in Round 22.

In that game, Hale re-captured his 2013 form with 10 disposals, 15 hit outs, five marks and three crucial goals to help the Hawks overcome a six-goal deficit to secure victory in what would be a critical win in the context of the season.

As the back-up ruckman because he’s just as valuable inside 50 as he is in the centre square, it’s imperative Hale is making himself dangerous inside Hawthorn’s scoring zone and he did that by being ranked fourth at the Club this season for marks taken inside 50.

After that slow start, he also ended up booting 22 goals for the year.

But what also makes him such a valuable commodity is the fact he’s mobile for his size and loves to apply pressure and tackle hard like any of his smaller teammates.

That value was best illustrated in the Preliminary and Grand Finals when he laid six and four tackles in each game.

While some may have been questioning his longevity in the game early in the season despite signing a one-year contract extension, Hale answered any critics or doubters with a strong finish to the year.

Playing in another premiership for the Hawks after crossing from North Melbourne simply adds some cream to the cake that has become his career since the trade back in 2010.

He played his 200^th career game in Round 3 – you don’t reach a milestone like that without being a master of your craft.

What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “By his standards his first three quarters of the year weren’t great and consequently, he had to spend some time at Box Hill.

“But in the last six or seven weeks, when he went into the ruck more often, he really helped our midfielders because his ruck work was excellent. The connection he has with our midfielders is really good and it helped us improve our clearance rate.

“He was also able to drift forward and kick goals and in the end, he would be really happy with the way he finished the year.

“The old dog looks like he’s still got a few years left in him yet.”

David Hale in the news in 2014
- Hale re-signs, loving life as a Hawk
- History counts for nothing: Hale
- Proud moment: Hale reaches game 200
- VFL: Hale kicks five in BOG performance
- Ruck affair: Hale and McEvoy’s mutual respect

Videos featuring David Hale in 2014
- Hale speaks after the premiership
- Hale ready for finals challenge
- #everymoment: Hale