HAWTHORN recruit Jonathan O’Rourke is happy to slot in wherever he’s required next season.
The former number two draft pick joined Hawthorn via the trade period and will add another weapon to the already impressive midfield arsenal of the back-to-back premiers.
The highly talented 188cm former GWS Giant can play both inside and outside, with his speed, endurance and foot skills on both sides his biggest strengths.
Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright said at the time of his arrival the midfielder will likely play alongside the likes of premiership duo Isaac Smith and Bradley Hill on the wing but O’Rourke hopes to simply slot in wherever there’s a position available.
“I can play on a wing or playing inside as well or even half forward or half-back flank as well, I’m pretty happy to play anywhere,” he told hawthornfc.com.au in his first interview as a Hawk.
“I’m just looking forward to trying to break into the side.
“I hope to fit in wherever I can.”
Breaking into a premiership 22 will be difficult though, as the modest 20 year old is well aware.
But, after a frustrating start to his career with shoulder and hamstring injuries and even a broken jaw, O’Rourke is relishing the opportunity to play alongside those he has admired from a young age.
At the top of that list are premiership captains Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell, while he has also admired from a distance the games of Hill and Smith.
O’Rourke even admitted on his first day at pre-season training, he might be a bit star struck training alongside a host of premiership Hawks.
“If I could be half as quick as them it would be handy,” he joked about Hill and Smith.
“Looking from the outside at those guys, they’ve got great endurance and they’re quick so it’s pretty exciting to be able to have the opportunity to play alongside them, which should help my game as well.
“(But) starting with Sam Mitchell and Luke Hodge – it’s pretty surreal to be playing alongside players like that.
“Even when I got out there and train with those kinds of blokes, it’ll be a different feeling but I’m looking forward to it.”
There is a lot of water to go under the bridge but the new Hawk is already dreaming of what might be when he first takes the field in brown and gold.
“It’ll be pretty nerve-wracking I reckon but at the same time that’s why we play footy, to play in front of big crowds and win games,” he said of playing at the MCG.
“Coming from a new club that hasn’t really established itself yet to coming here, it’s a big change.
“Seeing all the memorabilia and the history of the Club is exciting.
“You hear a lot about the history with all those flags but now being here I’ll learn a lot more about it.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
O’Rourke joined Hawthorn via a trade with GWS that saw the midfielder and pick 43 to the Hawks for picks 19 and 40.
