Luke Breust backed up a breakout year in 2012 with another outstanding season for the Hawks in 2013.
Winner of the most promising award at Peter Crimmins Medal last year and second on the Club’s goal kicking leader board, the youngster had much to live up to this year but managed to improve his game again.
In his third year at the elite level, Breust spent more time in the midfield and was a strong contributor around the ball with his clean hands and ability to apply pressure.
He played in each of Hawthorn’s 25 games and averaged 14.6 disposals, 3.6 marks, 4.4 tackles and 1.6 goals – he was one of the most consistent small forwards in the game this year.
Those numbers actually rank him among the best small forwards in the competition along with his ability to take marks for his size and get to the right positions at the feet of his bigger forwards.
In fact, he was ranked equal second at the Club for marks taken inside 50 along with Lance Franklin with 47 (Jarryd Roughead was ranked number one) – 11 ahead of Jack Gunston with 36.
He was also ranked fourth for goals kicked with 40 for the year and was the side’s best tackler with 110 for the season – seven more than Brad Sewell in second.
In fact, Breust laid a tackle in each of his 25 matches this season and was held goalless only five times and booted multiple goals on 11 occasions.
He was one of the side’s most consistent performers.
The 22 year old, soon to be 23 started the year well by kicking nine goals in his opening three games – booting 2.5 against the Cats, 4.1 against the Eagles and 3.0 against the Pies in Round 3.
He was an important contributor against the Crows in Round 6 and kicked crucial goals in the final term to help the team win and was brilliant against the Swans in Round 7 with 22 disposals, five tackles and a goal.
He was dominant against Melbourne in Round 10 with five goals from eight shots and a valuable contributor against the Eagles and Lions in Rounds 13 and 14 with three goals in each of those games.
His lead in to the finals series was also excellent, with 12 disposals, five tackles and three goals in the Round 22 win over North Melbourne and 12 disposals, three tackles and two goals in the win over Sydney.
Bruest backed up his impressive home-and-away performances in the finals series, where he was a valuable contributor with his lead-up marking ability and pressure around the ball inside 50.
He averaged 14 disposals, 5.6 tackles and a goal a game across the three finals.
His pressure was his best asset during the finals though, with his ability to lock the ball inside Hawthorn’s scoring area with the likes of Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo valuable.
He laid seven tackles in the Qualifying Final and six in the Grand Final – which would have held more significance to Alastair Clarkson and his teammates rather than his 13 disposals in each of those games.
What did let him down during the finals series and throughout the season though, was his accuracy in front of goal.
He kicked 1.2 in the Qualifying Final and 1.3 in the Preliminary Final, an area in which he would acknowledge requires improvement in 2014.
If he can work on his routine over the summer and convert his chances next season, he will become one of the most dangerous and toughest players to match-up on in the competition.
2014 will be an exciting year for the youngster.
What Chris Fagan said: “It was another consistent year by Breusty who is now one of the best small forwards in the game for two reasons – one is his ability to hit the scoreboard and the other his ability to apply pressure on the opposition.
“He branched out a little bit into the midfield this year and just had a really consistent year for the second year in a row.
“He’s a real bone fide A-grade AFL small forward now and is much-loved by the fans.”
Breust in the news in 2013
- Proud Breust signs new deal
