WHEN the AFL rookie list was introduced back in 1997, it was seen to be the furthest a player could be from playing a senior game.

But that has never been the case at Hawthorn, as shown by the 2008 premiership side that featured Brad Sewell, Robbie Campbell, Michael Osborne and Clinton Young - all of whom were initially rookie listed.

The trend has continued this year with Carl Peterson, Garry Moss and Jarrod Kayler-Thomson all playing in the opening weeks despite starting the season on the rookie list.

It is this pathway that is working as motivation for Luke Breust.

Now in his second year on the Hawks’ rookie list, Breust has been turning heads recently with match-turning displays as a small forward for VFL team Box Hill.

“I’m still on the rookie list and a few things have to fall my way to get a start," Breust told hawthornfc.com.au.

"I’m happy with my form at the moment, if I keep playing well you never know what could happen.”

His form has not gone unnoticed by the Hawthorn brains trust either, with senior coach Alastair Clarkson taking particular interest in the 19-year-old.

“He [Clarkson] has spoken to me a little bit," Breust said. "I had a chat to him last week and he told me things I need to work on that he thought would get me a senior game.

"If I can get them right at VFL level first it would stand me in good stead to get an AFL game."

Last week Breust booted five goals for Box Hill in the win over the Northern Bullants. It was his second bag of five goals and will no doubt work in his favour as he pushes to be selected in the VFL team to take on the best of the WAFL later this month.

Breust was selected in the initial squad that is to be cut next week.

Making the team was not one of Breust’s goals for the year but he says being in the running has raised the bar for his 2010 goals.

“At the start of the year I would have been happy with another good year in the VFL playing consistent football but now the Victorian squad has come along, I think to play senior football by the end of the year would be another goal as well,” he said.

Breust shares a Caulfield house with teammates Max Bailey, Michael Johnston, Jordan Williams and Sam Grimley.

While admitting to the odd dispute over domestic duties, Breust says he has a good arrangement with his four teammates.

Living in the heart of football obsessed Melbourne with four other footballers is quite a contrast to Breust’s upbringing in Temora, 45 minutes north of Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina.

“My town is mainly rugby league so I played that when I was younger and got into Aussie Rules when I was 11. The competition is not too bad up around Wagga,” Breust said.

“The closer you get to the Victorian border it obviously gets a bit stronger but there are still a fair few good teams up around the Riverina.”

The irony is not lost on the born and bred NSW boy that a solid performance in the big V in the next couple of weeks could be a major stepping stone to his AFL career.

“It would feel weird trading states but I’d definitely take it if it comes my way.”