HAWTHORN midfielder Shane Savage says it’s an honour to be playing his 50^th game for Hawthorn against Western Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In and out of the side this season, the Kiwi-born midfielder has added spark to the Hawthorn side in recent weeks, having kicked nine goals in four matches since returning to the side in Round 13.

Savage played the opening five matches this season before being omitted for the Round 6 clash against Adelaide.

He returned to the VFL with Box Hill searching for the confidence he’d lost in his game, and found it in some impressive performance for the Club’s VFL affiliate.

Before long, Savage was knocking down the door for another crack ion the seniors, and eventually grabbed his chance in Round 13 against West Coast in a 16 disposal, five tackle and two goal performance.

Ahead of his 50^th game for the Club, Savage says he feels honoured to wear brown and gold and is focused on performing to a consistent high level to keep his spot in the side.

He says his aim too, is to repay the Club showed in him when he signed a new contract in the middle of last year, until the end of 2015.

“I just wanted to get some consistency in my game and enjoy my footy (at Box Hill). That’s what I’ve been doing now so to get to 50 is exciting,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“It’s great to have been signed until 2015 and to play 50 games with Hawthorn is a great honour for me and hopefully there’s many more to come.

“My aim is to just play as much consistent footy as I can and obviously stay in the side. If I can do that, then I’ll be pretty satisfied with my year.”

Savage attacked his six-week stint in the VFL with the view of gaining enough confidence to play his role effectively for Hawthorn whenever he got his chance.

He has so far done that, averaging 15.5 disposals, 4.8 tackles and 2.3 goals per game since his return.

He says while kicking goals is nice, his job is to simply provide as much energy and run as he can for the Hawks.

“I wanted to go back there (Box Hill) and have a good block of footy and get my confidence back up, which I did,” he said.

“When I came back into the AFL side I wanted to know that I’d play my role and give something back to the side.

“My main objective in the side is to provide as much energy as I can and run.”

The 22 year old is one of four Hawks to have reached 50 games this year – joining Paul Puopolo, Luke Breust and Isaac Smith.

Interestingly, three of those signed new contracts at the same time last year, with Puopolo and Smith committing to the Club until the end of 2014 and Savage untlil 2015.

Breust joined the trio in April this year, signing a contract extension until the end of 2014.

Savage says he hopes to be playing many more matches with his great mates for many years to come.

“We’re all really good friends. Puopolo is definitely one of my closest mates outside of the Club,” he said.

“For all of us to have played 50 games is a good effort and hopefully there’s many more to come for all of us.

“I guess that block of players is Hawthorn’s future and for all of us to get 50 games under our belts this year is definitely a great thing for the Club.”