With the 2012 season over, now is as good a time as any to review the seasons of each player to represent Hawthorn on hawthornfc.com.au at 9am each day.
Injury-prone midfielder Xavier Ellis got his timing right in season 2012, finally overcoming calf and knee injuries to make an impact for Hawthorn in the tail end of the season.
Ellis wasn’t sighted for the Hawks in the opening five months of the 2012 home-and-away season, with a calf injury keeping him sidelined until a more serious knee injury had the better of him.
Just when the former number three draft pick thought he was nearing a return, showing excellent form in the Club’s VFL affiliate Box Hill, the injury curse struck again.
This time, after impressing with 21 disposals in three and a half quarters of football Ellis suffered a knee injury that would keep him out for an extended period.
After the injury, teammate Sam Mitchell described Ellis as a player who “can’t take a trick”.
But General Manager - Football Operations, Mark Evans held hope for the 24 year old.
“He’s having a terrible year to date (with injury),” he said.
“Hopefully he can still play a strong role for us by the end of the season.”
And that he did, making his long awaited return to much fanfare in the Round 20 clash against Port Adelaide in Tasmania.
In that game, Ellis gathered an impressive 17 disposals and booted two goals from the midfield. It was an impressive performance that was backed up by 24 possessions against Gold Coast the following week before donning the green vest as the Hawks’ substitute in the top of the table clash against the Swans in Sydney.
He was dropped on the eve of the finals, for the Round 23 clash with West Coast but, with a strong month of football behind him, earned a place in the Qualifying Final team that defeated Collingwood.
Reborn as a run with player for the pivotal clash, Ellis was entrusted with the job of curtailing Magpies playmaker Heath Shaw and, performed his role with aplomb.
On top of his defensive role, Ellis was able to have an impact on the offensive end, gathering 17 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal - a performance that had fans impressed as he was listed among Hawthorn’s best players.
Despite being quiet in the season’s decider, Ellis still managed 11 possessions and a goal in the biggest game of the year. His final two months and ability to withstand a physical finals series could mean that he’s turned the corner.
He proved he still has what it takes to play at the elite level and the Hawks have shown they’re willing to give him the chance to get his body right.
Is it about to pay off for both Ellis and Hawthorn in 2013? Let’s hope so.
| GA | K | H | D | DE% | CP | UP | M | CL | T | I50 | G | PCM | |
| 2012 averages | 6 | 7.3 | 5.8 | 13.2 | 59 | 5.7 | 8.2 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1 | 6 |
Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead and David Hale celebrate a Xavier Ellis goal in the Grand Final.
Ellis in the news in 2012
Versatile Ellis to play role Ellis gets his timing right Golden light shines on Ellis Watch videos featuring Michael Osborne from season 2012
Ellis and Puopolo on Kokoda Ozzie's Challenge: Card houses with Xavier Ellis How did you rate Xavier Ellis' 2012 season? Leave your view in the comments section below.
RELATED
2012 Review: Osborne
