Last season’s ‘super sub’ who quickly became a Hawthorn cult hero enhanced his reputation and stamped his mark on the AFL with a breakout 2012 season.
Luke Breust joined fellow Hawks youngsters Brendan Whitecross, Jack Gunston and Ben Stratton among others to show they’ve got what it takes to perform at the highest level, and are players in which Hawthorn and Alastair Clarkson can build its future.
Playing in one of the toughest positions on the field, Breust made the small forward role his own, teaming up with Paul Puopolo and Cyril Rioli to apply great pressure and provide goals at opportune moments.
The highlight of Breust’s season was his consistency, always chipping in with a goal or two, pressuring the opposition and setting up his teammates in scoring positions.
Such was his excellent season he finished fourth in the Club’s best and fairest, the Peter Crimmins Medal - an outstanding achievement for a player in his first full season at the top level.
He was held goalless in three of his opening five matches (he missed Round 4 with concussion), but from Round 6 onwards, he kicked a goal in each of his matches, booting 45 for the year. He finished second on the Club’s goal kicking leaderboard behind gun full forward, Lance Franklin.
His forward pressure proved one of his biggest weapons, laying five, four, four and seven tackles in his first four matches of the season. His highest tackle tally was 11 against the Cats in Round 19 and also laid eight against the Tigers in the Round 9 loss.
Those numbers had him ranked fourth at the Club for tackles at the end of the year.
While playing predominantly as a small forward for the first half of the year, Breust found himself part of the Hawks’ midfield rotation after an impressive stint as a high half forward against Fremantle in Round 8.
In that game, he gathered a career-high 24 disposals, laid three tackles and kicked two goals to almost be best on ground.
In the second half of the year, he enjoyed more time up the ground and showed he can become a player who can play off a wing or in the midfield full time once he builds his strength and fitness to be able to run out a full game on the ball.
His best game of the home-and-away season was arguably his performance against Collingwood in Round 17 when he booted five goals in a dominating display up forward. He was dangerous with his pace, pressure and innate ability to kick goals from impossible angles.
Throughout the Hawks’ 2012 finals campaign, Breust showed he can handle the big stage with an impressive month on the track and in the Hawks’ three matches.
He saved two of his best performance of 2012 for the Qualifying and Preliminary Finals. In those games he was clean, he showed maturity beyond his years with his ability to sum up a situation and use his pace and evasive skills to maneuver his way out of traffic.
He kicked goals, he set up his teammates and in those two finals in particular, set the standard, provided the impetus the Hawks needed to win.
In those matches combined, he gathered 42 disposals, laid nine tackles and kicked four goals.
With 41 matches to his name and an impressive finals series, Breust will look to continue his rapid improvement in 2013 and become a regular in the Hawks midfield with solid sessions in the gym and on the track over pre-season.
As Hawks fans were excited about his 2012 prospects, they can be even more excited about what’s to come for this exciting Hawks youngster in 2013.
| GA | K | H | D | DE% | CP | UP | M | CL | T | I50 | G | PCM | |
| 2012 averages | 24 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 15.6 | 76 | 7.5 | 8.6 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 110 |
Breust shows his passion for his club after kicking a goal in the Grand Final.
Breust in the news in 2012
Finals pain Breust's driving forceVideos featuring Breust in 2012
Breust dribbles one homeHow did you rate Breust's 2012 season? Leave your view below.
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