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.
What a year 2014 was for Matt Spangher.
Finally after nine seasons, three clubs and three times watching his teammates win a premiership, the journeyman won himself that elusive premiership medal after an outstanding and career-best season.
Spangher has battled injury for most of his career and even struggled with his body at times this year but this time, he was fit and in form at the right time.
The Hawthorn cult-hero played 15 of a possible 25 senior games on his way to becoming a valuable part of Alastair Clarkson’s team, with his ability to play either back or forward one of his biggest assets.
Versatility aside, Spangher became an important addition for the Hawks this season in his own right, undoubtedly raising his level of performance and becoming a key part of the defensive structure.
With injuries to Brian Lake and Josh Gibson throughout the season and the inability of Ryan Schoenmakers to lockdown a key defensive post, Spangher made a position in the defence his own.
Taking one of the opposition’s tall forwards, he became a reliable shutdown defender that helped release teammate Gibson, upon his return, into a more attacking role.
One of the most selfless players in the competition, Spangher was ranked second for one percenters at the club this season and averaged 6.1 per game.
He was also ranked in the top five for contested marks taken.
In the modern game though, stopping your opponent isn’t enough – players also need to make themselves an attacking weapon and that’s exactly what Spangher did in 2014.
The 27 year old averaged 13.9 disposals at a remarkable 80.8 per cent efficiency to be ranked in the top 10 of Hawthorn’s most reliable users of the footy this year.
Almost astonishingly now given Spangher was such a critical player in Hawthorn’s ability to win back-to-back premierships, he actually played just two of Hawthorn’s opening 10 games of the season.
After impressing in Round 3, Spangher injured his ankle against the Suns in Round 4 and didn’t re-appear until Round 12 when he played one of his best games for the year against the Eagles in Tasmania.
Playing on either Dean Cox on Nic Naitanui when they were up forward, Spangher earned himself votes from the coaches in the AFLCA Champion Player of the year award for his efforts.
He defended well and rebounded from the back 50 even better, finishing with 22 disposals and 10 marks.
Spangher also received votes from the coaches in Round 14, when he played centre half back against Collingwood and floated on a number of opponents including Jesse White.
In that game he also showed his ability to become a dangerous counterattack and link-up player with 19 disposals, seven marks and fives tackles.
He stood up in the finals series too, taking with both hands the opportunity to finally be part of his team’s best 22 for September.
Spangher has finally found himself a home at Hawthorn, having signed a new two-year contract to remain at the Club where it appears now, his best footy is ahead of him.
But that’s a challenge for him now, to continue improving his game after finally achieving that premiership medal that had eluded him for so long.
His 15 games this year was the most he’s ever played in his AFL career, passing his previous record of 11 for West Coast in 2009 – can he raise that again in 2015?
What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “The cult figure – I think everyone in football loves Matt Spangher and his story because it’s a great one.
“He managed to get that premiership after being close on several occasions and I think the whole footy world is happy for him.
“He won the ‘Best Clubman’ award at our Peter Crimmins Medal night and that was very popular. His teammates love him, he gives his heart every time he plays.
“‘Spang’ can play back or forward - he was important for us as the year progressed.”
Matt Spangher in the news in 2014
- Grand Final pain makes win sweeter for Spangher
- I’m home: Spangher re-signs
- Missed opportunities driving Spangher
- Spangher has no intentions of cutting trademark look
Videos featuring Matt Spangher in 2014
- PCM: Matt Spangher acceptance speech
- Spangher speaks after the premiership
This was a sepcial moment. The reaction of Matt Spangher's teammates when his name was called to the dais to collect his premiership medal.
