Season 2013 promised so much for the ever-improving Ryan Schoenmakers who looked set to take the next step in his development into one of the game’s best defenders but injury struck in Round 4.
Schoenmakers ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in the opening month of the home and away season and was forced onto the sidelines for the rest of the year.
It was a cruel blow for the 23 year old who had worked hard over the pre-season to add strength to his frame and continue the improvement he showed in 2012.
He was able to show, however, in his first four games that his development had taken another step and he was well on his way to become one of the competition’s best young key position defenders.
His form was so good that he in fact edged out Brian Lake for the full back spot early in the season, such was his good form.
Lake played in the VFL for Box Hill as Schoenmakers thrived before suffering the injury.
The young defender held his own against Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly in the opening round of the season, with the duo having nowhere near the influence they have over the Hawks and their defenders in the past. Both managed just two goals each in the opening round match.
His most impressive performance came in Round 2 though, when he was named among the side’s best in the big win over West Coast in Perth.
Schoenmakers showed how far he’d come both in one-on-one contests and in terms of his ability to also use the ball out of defence by gathering 18 touches from full back.
He still battled though against Collingwood’s Travis Cloke who booted five goals in Round 3 – but so did some of the best and experienced key defenders in the league in 2013.
In 2014, the Hawks will look forward to a fit and determined Schoenmakers returning to the field early in the season to strengthen what has become one of the best defensive groups in the competition.
Unlike the challenges he faced at the start of his career – forced to play on the big forwards when undersized, there won’t be much need for the youngster to play out of his weight division when he makes his comeback.
He will join Lake and Josh Gibson as key defenders and could even spend time forward depending on the size of the opposition’s forward line. He was of course, originally recruited as a forward but was moved into defence.
He spent time inside forward 50 over the pre-season and in patches last season, a move that could be tried again by Alastair Clarkson in 2014.
One thing is for sure though, whatever the role he has planned for Schoenmakers, the 23 year old will be ready for it.
He began running duties late in the year and was a constant presence around the Club throughout the season despite his year-ending injury. He spent a lot of time in the gym and was always spotted supporting his teammates as they went on to win the 2013 flag.
The Club has no doubt he'll be back bigger and better than ever, moving to extend his contract late this year.
What Chris Fagan said: “He was another one of our knee reconstruction boys. He’d worked really hard to become a good key position defender and four games into the season, down he goes with a knee injury.
“He’s had a great rehabilitation and he’ll be like a recruit next year and he’ll pick up where he left off – he was becoming one of the best tall defenders in the game.
“He will hopefully be back around the start of the season depending on how his rehabilitation progresses.”
Schoenmakers in the news in 2013
- Schoenmakers sures up Hawthorn future with new deal
- Schoenmakers recalls the moment
Videos featuring Schoenmakers in 2013
- Schoenmakers re-signs
- HawkTalk episode 22
- Schoenmakers speaks about his injury
