Season 2013 had its challenges for Liam Shiels but his determination to overcome injury and win his place back in the side ultimately resulted in premiership success.
Shiels had a delayed start to pre-season due to injury and missed a couple of pre-season matches, though managed to get himself fit and ready for Round 1.
He began his season as a free-wheeling midfielder who thrived on winning the contested ball where he gathered a season-high 28 disposals against Collingwood in Round 3. He backed up that performance with 23 disposals in the win over Fremantle in Round 4 before shifting his focus to taking on some of the best midfielders in the competition.
As he did in 2012, Shiels became Alastair Clarkson’s go-to man when he needed to nullify the influence of a gun opposition midfielder and showed his importance to the Hawthorn side through his ability to respond to the challenge.
He saved some of his best work for the league’s premier midfielder and 2013 Brownlow medallist, Gary Ablett in Round 9 when he was moved onto the gun midfielder after half time.
Ablett had three goals and was clearly best on ground in the opening half, before Shiels was given the job by his coach and successfully nullified his influence as the Hawks kicked six unanswered goals in the last quarter and a half to win by 26 points.
Just a month after that though, Shiels’ season hit a roadblock.
He injured ligaments in his ankle against Brisbane in Round 14 and spent five weeks on the sidelines.
He returned via the VFL where he was tagged in his comeback game before impressing with 23 disposals, five marks and four tackles against Coburg in late August.
That performance earned him a place in Hawthorn’s side for the Round 22 game against North Melbourne but after just one quarter, he season was in jeopardy.
Another ankle injury forced him to be subbed out of the game in the second term – and just as he was again showing why he’s a valuable player, having kept Brent Harvey to just two disposals. He had everyone, including his coach fearing his season was over.
Miraculously, thanks to a stroke of luck and a diligent approach to recovery, Shiels missed just one match – Round 23 and was fit and ready for the Qualifying Final if selected.
But, with Cyril Rioli also expected to return, Shiels wasn’t named and it appeared as though he wouldn’t make it back for the finals campaign.
That was though, until another stroke of luck came his way and he received a late call up to replace Rioli who would miss with an ankle injury.
From there, he never looked back.
Shiels showed his worth in the first final against the Swans with 14 disposals, a goal and a brilliant performance on Swans star Kieren Jack.
He earned his place with that effort in the preliminary final team and again was forced to shut down two of Geelong’s best – Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson.
He started on Selwood, who barely touched the footy in the opening quarter, then was forced onto Johnson who was dominating and had three goals. He was rarely seen once the move was made.
Shiels had done it again.
His performance in the grand final was nothing short of brilliant too, as he shut down gun Fremantle runner Stephen Hill and spent time on Nathan Fyfe who was dominating early for the Dockers.
Shiels is hard at it, never shirks a contest and wins his own ball – he showed all those qualities throughout the finals series which culminated in a premiership medal and a performance he’ll never forget, neither will his teammates or coaches in the grand final.
Although he finished with a modest 11 disposals, he had nine tackles and although Hill had 21 touches, he had little influence on the game.
He played 17 matches in 2013 and averaged 15.3 disposals and 3.2 tackles.
At 22, Shiels is still in the infancy of his career but what the Hawks have seen of him in the last two seasons suggests he will continue to be an integral role player for the Club in the future.
He has played 81 games, including two grand finals and signed a contract extension in September.
Shiels has much to offer the Hawks in the near future.
What Chris Fagan said: "He had a bit of an injury-plagued season, particularly with an ankle injury and had some issues over the pre-season but through all that managed to remain resilient and got his spot back in the team very late in the year and played in a premiership side.
"His contribution in the grand final, particularly with his tackling and pressure was outstanding.
"He is a great role player for the team – he is a good player in his own right but he’s prepared to often pick up the best player from the opposition team and do a job on them. It was a really good reward for him to be a premiership player."
Shiels in the news in 2013
- It was the best day of my life: Shiels
- Easy decision: Shiels extends contract
- Shiels relishing challenge of playing on league's best
Videos featuring Shiels in 2013
- Shiels after the Grand Final win
- Liam Shiels re-signs
- Liam Shiels at Tassal
