There’s no denying Harry Morrison is currently playing career-best footy, and the young Hawk is set for further recognition this Sunday when he chalks up his 50th AFL game.
Taken at Pick 76 in the 2016 National Draft, Morrison burst onto the scene in Round 23 2017 – making his league debut in the same game as club champion Luke Hodge ‘hung up the boots’ (or so it appeared at the time!).
The then-19-year-old showed plenty of promise in his first outing, racking up 21 disposals at close to 80 percent efficiency.
The three seasons since that memorable match have represented something of a changing of the guard in the brown and gold; premiership heroes called time on illustrious careers as promising youngsters began their AFL journeys.
Morrison has been there abouts with the senior side during this time, with his form, and resulting selection journey, experiencing ebbs and flows. He followed his debut season with an impressive 21 senior appearances in 2018. By 2019, that figure dropped to nine, followed by 11 in 2020, with the youngster seemingly on the selection fringe throughout this period.
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However, 2021 is shaping as a coming-of-age tale for the young Hawk; not only has he played in all of a possible seven senior games, with a career-high disposal average of 18, but he also appears to be playing with a greater level of confidence, relishing the responsibility of breaking the lines as a wingman.
He’s been reliable when he gets the Sherrin; Morrison is currently running at 79 per cent disposal efficiency this season, which is considered ‘above average’ in league statistics.
It’s still early days, but Morrison certainly figures as a key component in Hawthorn’s next wave.
As we celebrate 50 games for this hard-working youngster on Sunday, a quick reflection on his recent improvement is sure to have Hawthorn fans feeling excited for what the next 50 might bring.
