A high draft pick. A couple of premierships. 222 games.
And now a club captain.
One might think Ben McEvoy’s career has been smooth sailing. Without a hitch. A walk in the park.
One would be wrong.
Growing up in Dederang some 330km north-east of Melbourne, McEvoy was a talented youngster who demanded the attention of AFL recruiters throughout his under-18 year.
McEvoy’s CV as captain of Vic Country, an U18 All Australian and centre half-forward in the TAC Cup Team of the Year meant sides knew they would miss out if they didn’t pay up.
Nowadays it is becoming more and more rare for clubs to spend a top-10 draft pick on a ruckman, but, after Carlton claimed Matthew Kreuzer with the number one selection, the Saints nabbed McEvoy with Pick 9.
But, like the story of many young big men, the Murray Bushrangers product was forced to bide his time initially.
Introducing your new club captain, Ben McEvoy!
And then, in an act of almost sick humour, then-coach Ross Lyon selected an 18-year-old McEvoy to make his debut against Fremantle monolith Aaron Sandilands, who was at the top of a three-year run of consecutive All Australian honours.
It was Round 13 of the 2008 season and McEvoy did not register a single hit-out that day.
He didn’t feature again at senior level until Round 7 the following year, managing 11 games – all of which were wins.
St Kilda’s success throughout this time, playing in the 2009 and 2010 grand finals, meant cracking a spot in the team was a difficult task – but Saints fans were becoming increasingly aware of the talent they had on their hands with McEvoy.
That potential was realised in 2011, when ‘Big Boy’ played 22 games, averaging a still-career-high 14.6 touches and 22.6 hit-outs – which was double any number he had managed over his previous three campaigns.
His career continued to flourish throughout the following two seasons, shouldering more and more of the ruck duties as he took his tally to 91 senior games by the end of the 2013 season.
But then - out of nowhere - a trade to Hawthorn.
McEvoy was contracted at the Saints until the end of the 2015 season, but the next time he pulled on a football jumper on its colours were brown and gold.
Needless to say, Hawks fans were chuffed.
The reigning premiers had just got stronger.
Calf and hamstring troubles as well as a selection battle with the up and coming Jonathon Ceglar meant McEvoy’s first season as a Hawk didn’t initially pan out as he may have envisaged.
As the Hawks progressed to the preliminary final, McEvoy continued to be left out of the side in favour of Ceglar, with his chances of premiership glory seemingly slipping from his grasp.
But, as heartbreak struck for the then-23-year-old Ceglar, it was a mixture of ecstasy and relief for Big Boy who was preferred by selectors ahead of the battle with Swans behemoth Mike Pyke.
A week later, McEvoy became a premiership player.
His second season as a Hawk took on an eerily similar look to its predecessor.
Starting the year fit, healthy and in the side, McEvoy was again struck by injury through the middle part of the campaign, again Ceglar took the opportunity and again Big Boy had to earn his senior spot back through Box Hill.
But when he got his call-up to re-enter at AFL level, there was no letting go for McEvoy.
On the first Saturday in October, McEvoy became a two-time premiership player.
In the years following, Ben McEvoy has become an out-and-out favourite.
A favourite of those who work at the football club.
A favourite of Hawthorn members.
A favourite of his teammates and coaches.
His character, his care and his effort for the betterment of this club has been unquestionable.
The perfect captaincy candidate who knows what it takes to be successful at the elite level, whilst also having an incredible perspective of the bumps and grinds along the way.
