By the conclusion of Hawthorn’s 2012 campaign, Shane savage emerged as Alastair Clarkson’s perfect candidate to wear the green vest as the Hawks’ substitute.
The 21 year old made a strong start to the season, winning 15 disposals in the opening two rounds against competition heavyweights Collingwood and Geelong, including a five tackle effort against the Cats before he was given the green vest for the first time.
His strongest performances of the home-and-away season came in rounds five and seven. In the loss to Sydney, Savage was one of Hawthorn’s best performers with 21 disposals, six marks and three tackles. Against the Demons in Round 7, he gathered 20 disposals, five marks, three tackles, eight inside 50s and a goal.
But, it wasn’t Savage’s ability to find the football that was his biggest strength in season 2012, it was rather his pressure and ability to lay tackle after tackle that earned him a spot in Clarkson’s team.
Against the Eagles in Round 4, Savage laid a season-high eight tackles and backed it up with consistent numbers in the tackle count over the course of the year. By the conclusion of the 2012 season, he averaged three tackles per game.
His ability to play in a variety of roles and inject speed late in a game made him the perfect candidate as the Hawks’ substitute, and he showed he can make an impact with limited game time.
From Round 17, Savage wore the green vest on six occasions, including being the substitute in all three of Hawthorn’s finals matches.
Impressively, Savage was called upon early in the Qualifying Final against Collingwood, after teammate Brendan Whitecross suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Savage had arguably his best game for the year, coming on and having a real impact in a high pressure, high stakes game.
Playing in the midfield and across half forward, Savage gathered 14 disposals, laid three tackles, had five inside 50s and kicked two crucial goals to play a key role in Hawthorn’s win over the Magpies.
It was that game that had Hawthorn fans appreciating Savage’s standing in the side, crediting his ability to withstand the pressure and play four quarters of football when usually, the substitute player would be activated in the final term of a crucial final.
With Clinton Young’s departure to Collingwood, the door could open for Savage to have a real impact for the Hawks in season 2013. He possesses the key attributes his coach looks for in his players - pace, skill and an unrelenting hunger for the contest.
He too, can hit the scoreboard - an invaluable asset and characteristic of any midfielder in the game.
| GA | K | H | D | DE% | CP | UP | M | CL | T | I50 | G | PCM | |
| 2012 averages | 21 | 6.9 | 4.4 | 11.3 | 76 | 3.9 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 31 |
Savage shows Steele Sidebottom his ferocious tackling approach in the Qualifying Final.
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2012 Player Review
