HAWTHORN rookies Will Langford and Jonathon Ceglar have been promoted to the senior list ahead of the 2014 season, while fellow rookie Derick Wanganeen has been delisted.
The pair made their senior debuts in 2013 after they were both upgraded as long-term injury replacements for knee victims Matt Suckling and Ryan Schoenmakers in Round 14.
Ceglar made his debut in that round, against Brisbane Lions in Tasmania, while Langford had to wait until Round 17 to get his chance.
The decision by the Club to promote the pair is just reward for their impressive seasons in which they were key members of Box Hill’s premiership win in the VFL.
Hawthorn Recruiting and List Manager, Graham Wright said the Club was pleased to retain and promote Ceglar onto the senior list.
“He played two games, which we were rapt with to get him in and play those games,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“There was other interest from Jon’s point of view so for us to retain him, we felt we had to upgrade him onto the list.”
Wright also said he expects Langford, who played one senior game in 2013 to have a bigger impact at senior level in 2014 after his impressive season with Box Hill this year.
“Will was outstanding all year,” Wright said.
“He was in line for selection quite a bit this year, so he was very good and we are hopeful he’ll push up and play some games next year.”
Ceglar spent two seasons with Collingwood before being cut by the Magpies at the end of 2012 and picked up by the Hawks with selection 15 in last year’s rookie draft.
At 204cm, the 22 year old impressed this season with his tap work and mobility around the ground.
In his two matches at AFL level, his ruckwork was impressive but it was more his ability to push forward and take a contested mark that showed he could be a player of the future.
He had 22 hit outs and nine disposals on debut for the Hawks against the Lions.
Ceglar played a key role in Box Hill’s Grand Final win with 24 hit outs and 12 disposals but his best performance arguably came in the Preliminary Final win over Werribee, where he had 34 hit outs, 15 possessions and kicked two goals.
Langford, the son of Hawks great Chris was selected as a NSW Scholarship player in 2011 and has spent the past two seasons on the Club’s rookie list.
Originally groomed as a defender, the 187cm 21 year old moved into the midfield this year with great success.
He became one of Box Hill’s best clearance players and his ability to accumulate possessions and deliver it to teammates were his biggest strengths this season.
Langford was one of Box Hill’s best over the finals series, with 24 touches, 12 clearances and two goals in the preliminary final and 21 disposals, five tackles and 10 clearances in the Grand Final win over Geelong.
Wanganeen, who has spent three seasons on the rookie list joins Amos Frank and Andrew Boseley as players to depart the Club.
Wright said with the promotions of Ceglar and Langford meant the Club couldn’t accommodate the 22 year old on the primary list.
“Being a third year rookie, he had to be either upgraded or delisted and we just didn’t have a spot for him,” Wright said.
Wanganeen joins Amos Frank and Andrew Boseley as rookies to depart the Club, while Shane Savage was traded, Lance Franklin and Xavier Ellis departed as free agents and Brent Guerra, Max Bailey and Michael Osborne have retired.
Ben McEvoy joined the Club during the trade period while International Scholarship holders Kurt Heatherley and Shem Tatupu have also joined the Club as International Rookies.
List changes
Primary-listed players
Max Bailey (retired)
Xavier Ellis (unrestricted free agent)
Lance Franklin (restricted free agent)
Brent Guerra (retired)
Michael Osborne (retired)
Shane Savage (trade)
Rookie-listed players
Andrew Boseley (delisted)
Amos Frank (delisted)
Derick Wanganeen (delisted)
Primary List additions
Ben McEvoy (trade)
Rookie upgrades
Jonathon Ceglar
Will Langford (Category B NSW Rookie)
Rookie List additions
Kurt Heatherley (Category B International Rookie)
Shem Tatupu (Category B International Rookie)
