With just 35 matches to his name at Round 1 of the 2012 season, Schoenmakers played every game in season 2012, with his coach showing great faith in the youngster’s ability.
It was that faith that enabled Schoenmakers to grow in the role as Hawthorn’s number one stopper, and in turn, see his confidence levels grow throughout the season.
A tough start to the season saw Schoenmakers undersized against the competition’s biggest forwards including Cat Tom Hawkins. In the Round 2 match-up, Hawkins proved a match-winner with 22 possessions, 12 marks and three goals.
As the season progressed and the Hawks’ youngster continued to find himself matched up on big bodied forwards, Schoenmakers found himself learning on the job.
It was the continuity in his football that would ultimately allow him to grow, to develop new ways to attack his opponents, new ways to use his strength and new ways to nullify their influence on a game.
Throughout the year, teammates and coaches threw their support behind the at times embattled backman as he continued to develop.
Assistant Coach Adam Simpson publicly backed the 21 year old when he spoke to hawthornfc.com.au during the finals series.
“We’ve got all the confidence in the world to back him in to do any job that’s asked and he quite often does,” he said.
Fellow Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton praised the attitude Schoenmakers shows to his development.
“After a game he’s pretty level headed and he doesn’t get too carried away,” Bolton said.
“He always thinks about what he did well and what he needs to improve on, and with that balanced mindset comes progress.
“It’s just getting games under his belt more than anything.”
By the end of the season, Schoenmakers became a fan favourite, with Hawks fans acknowledging his improvement since the beginning of the season.
Perhaps his biggest accomplishment, was holding Collingwood big man Travis Cloke to just one goal in the Round 17 win over the Magpies.
It is his ability to close down space, his ever-improving body work and reach (ability to use his long arms to spoil) that makes him a valuable defender for the Hawks.
With 60 games now under his belt and another pre-season in the gym, Schoenmakers is on the road to becoming one of the league’s premier defenders.
The Hawks have shown faith and Schoenmakers has repaid the Club by signing a new deal to stay on with the Hawks.
He polled well in the Club's best and fairest count, illustrating the calibre of season the youngster had in defence.
The acquisition of Brian Lake to bolster the defence will also assist his development, able to learn off one of the league’s more respected backmen. Lake too, will take the pressure of the soon to be 22 year old, who will now not be found to be undersized in too many games next season.
| GA | K | H | D | DE% | CP | UP | M | CL | T | I50 | G | PCM | |
| 2012 averages | 25 | 8.4 | 5.6 | 14 | 75 | 5.6 | 8.1 | 4.8 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1 | 0.2 | 89 |
Schoenmakers shows his ever-growing strength, outmuscling Geelong's Tom Hawkins.
Schoenmakers in the news in 2012
Hawks Schoey confident "All the confidence" in Schoey It's a great feelingVideos featuring Schoenmakers in 2012
Schoenmakers marks strongly Seven in Seven: SchoenmakersHow did you rate Schoenmakers' 2012 season? Leave your view below.
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2012 Player Review
