James Hawksley

[Lady Lawrence]

over to you - Irel

[irel]

Hawkeye was also a talented cricketer.

http://www.waca.com.au/cricket/coaching/youth.asp

http://www.waca.com.au/latestnews/news-detail.asp?ID=257

[irel]

http://lions.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=314278

Hawksley ready to soar
8:14:23 PM Thu 8 February, 2007
lions.com.au

James Hawksley took a philosophical approach as he anxiously waited for his name to be read out during the 2006 AFL National Draft telecast. Although the Western Australian midfielder was considered one of the country’s top young prospects, the unpredictable nature of the National Draft meant that there were no guarantees.

“I didn’t get much sleep Friday night (prior to the draft),” Hawksley said. “My dad woke me up at five in the morning and was really excited. I was a bit nervous beforehand but didn’t really worry about it that much.”

As it turned out, Hawksley had nothing to worry about as the Vodafone Brisbane Lions snatched him with their fourth selection (pick No.38 overall). “Just to hear my name…I was relieved,” he said.

Hawksley is a creative and versatile player that impressed national scouts with some great performances with Western Australia at the Under 18 Championships in 2006. He is an AIS/AFL Academy graduate that has represented his state at both the under 16 and under 18 level.


He also was a member of the Australian team that took on the Irish in the Under 17 International Series and was named as one of the team’s best players in the match at Fremantle which helped clinch the national title.

While it could have been daunting for a teenager to move from one side of the country to the other, Hawksley had no qualms about moving interstate to pursue his AFL dream.

“I’m really excited to be going up to Brisbane,” Hawksley said immediately following the draft. “They’re going to be an upcoming team. It’s also going to be a great experience as I will be learning from those who have been there, done it and won a premiership.”

Hawksley has now been part of the Club for almost three months and has settled well into the Queensland lifestyle.

“It’s all going really well so far,” he said. “I thought that the transition would be harder than it actually was considering I had to move.”

He is currently living with Lions Assistant Coach Craig Lambert and his family of six. Lambert, his wife Melissa and their four children opened their doors to Hawksley when he first moved to Brisbane to help make his transition as easy for him as possible.

“Lamby and his family are looking after me really well,” Hawksley said. “There are plenty of little tackers around so it can be pretty hectic at times.”

At 187cm he presents an exciting tall running midfield option for the Lions in a similar mould to veteran Nigel Lappin. Hawksley admits, however, that he has plenty of work to do on his spindly 73kg frame before he can match it with the bigger and stronger opposition midfielders.

Despite a minor set back with a groin injury, Hawksley has enjoyed a busy pre-season training program and is now looking forward to hopefully competing in some of the Lions’ pre-season practice matches.

The 18 year-old remains realistic and philosophical about what he expects to achieve this season.

“I’m not too sure (if I will get to play senior AFL football next year) but I think it’s more about development for me and just trying to get my body right,” he said. “But if I’m training well then I’m sure going to give it a go.”

Hawksley’s former coach an ex-West Coast Eagle Chris Waterman has no doubt that he will make an impact in future years at the Lions.

“When I watched him play half-back flank this year, he showed great maturity and I was really impressed with him,” Waterman said. “He’s probably a good year away from it but in terms of footy brain and smarts, he’s right up there…and he’s got pace.”

[Grimreepah]

TOA's Phantom Draft (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283011&highlight=Phantom)

Pick 34 – BRIS – James HAWKSLEY (5/02/89) – 187cm/72kgs
Hawksley is another one of those modern footballer types, tall flanker who is ‘quick-ish’, skilled and can play anywhere. Bottom-age, he didn’t show that much at the championships but the potential is there. DC results were OK, but not as good as one would hope (20m: 000, beep: 11.12). Will probably end up being at HBF at AFL level. Richmond immediately springs to mind as a likely destination for a player like this and they will probably consider him long and hard at 26. However, the Lions will be keen to add a player of his versatility to their re-building line up if they get the chance. AIS graduate which the Lions seem to like, Hawksley could be a smokey to go in the first round but should be gone by the 3rd round. 14 clubs have spoken to him.

Weaver's Phantom Draft (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279879&highlight=Phantom)

26. James Hawksley (Richmond) – Hawksley is at the moment a lightly-built back-pocket but will develop into a utility winger/defender. The Richmond game plan will be based on rebound from defence and they need defenders like Craig Bolton and Tadgh Kennelly who
can play tall but run and kick.

Macca69's Phantom Draft (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=283356&highlight=Phantom)

34: Brisbane – James Hawksley
Would probably be the most versatile player in the draft. Can play tall or small and at either end, but will probably end up as a rebounding HBF type at AFL level (but could be groomed to play just about anywhere). Has very good agility and speed, and is also a smart player who rarely seems to make a mistake. Is very much the modern type of player. His combination of height and athleticism could see a club take him very early. Brisbane could well go a ruckman here in Hampson or Jacobs, but they would be confident in having at least one of those available at #38. Local boys like Urquart and Petterd would probably be considered here also.

Here (http://footygoss.com/main/columns/talent/hawksley_eyes_the_big_league/) is another article on Hawksley (from 2006)

Posted Jul 21, 2006 - 15:06 PM

Hawksley Eyes the Big League

James Hawksley is one of the many talented players to come out of the Peel region of late and is currently playing for the Peel colts side after having just returned from the under 18. James is approximately 188cm tall, weighs just on 72 kilograms and plays most of his football off a half back flank.

A product of the strong peel region James has played most of his junior football at Safety Bay Junior Football Club up until u/13's. During his time at Safety Bay James won 3 best and fairest trophies before moving to Mandurah Centrals where he completed his junior football career and also won 2 best and fairest trophies and was runner up in another year. Not bad for a kid who was only at the club for three years.

Unbeknown to most James is also a talent when he turns his hand to cricket. However James sat down and worked out which sport was going to give him the most opportunities. James did the maths and worked out that while there were approximately six hundred and forty odd players in the AFL system, not including rookies, the number of cricketers at the highest level were a lost less particularly considering the number of state representatives at state level were the competition to represent his country. James thought he would concentrate on football making this his priority.

James has represented his state at both 16's and 18's level and was also selected in the AIS/AFL academy which he admits was an eye opener. James played against the Irish and was named in the best player list for Australia in the game at Fremantle oval which was a game that broke the dead lock and saw Australia take the title.

James stated that the AIS/AFL program offered him an opportunity to develop his football. James said that the academy training puts into perspective the level at which he has to be playing and training at in order to reach the highest level of football.

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8250/hawksleyxu5.jpg

AIS Profile (http://web.archive.org/web/20060821025450/www.ais.org.au/austrules/hawksley.asp)

James Hawksley

Name: James Hawksley AIS James Hawksley Photo: NSIC Collection ASC

Sport: Australian Rules Football

Position/event:

Date of birth / birthplace: 5 February 1989 - Bowral, NSW

Are you also a SIS / SAS scholarship holder, and if so what institute / academy?

What year did you begin your AIS scholarship? 2005

What is your most significant achievement in sport? Making the All Australian team and receiving an AIS scholarship

What is your major sporting goal? Play AFL and do well at the top level

Who are your idols, and why (not necessarily sporting)? Warren Tredrea because of his leadership skills and the way he presents himself on the field

Who has most influenced your sporting career, and why? My parents because they got me into football early and were always there to support me from my first game right up until now when they still come and support me

Do you work or study while training - if so what? Studying at school - doing my TEE

How do you hope to be remembered when you retire from your sport? As a player who really pushes to excel in AFL and never gives up in hard times

What are your career goals after sport? Get a physical education job and to coach a local club to pass on my knowledge of AFL

What do you regard as the most memorable sporting moment? When Port Adelaide won the final to beat Brisbane

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/9670/hawksleyqo9.jpg

[BigCat2]

Hopefully with him being out with the finger injury it's given him time to hit the gym - he just needs bulk and he'd be pretty right to go at senior level.

[notting18]

Hopefully with him being out with the finger injury it's given him time to hit the gym - he just needs bulk and he'd be pretty right to go at senior level.
We got quite a few younger players in the last draft that are in a similar position - skillful tall running players who will be helped greatly by some time in the gym!

[Trump]

How's he doing?

Looked like a rabbit in the headlights in his first game, has he settled into senior footy?

[dlanod]

How's he doing?

Looked like a rabbit in the headlights in his first game, has he settled into senior footy?

I hereby nominate you Nostradamus of the Week. Hawksley hasn't played a proper senior game yet.

[xplo]

How's he doing?

Looked like a rabbit in the headlights in his first game, has he settled into senior footy?

From all reports, both James and Chris Schmidt were showing a lot of class for Suncoast through the middle part of the year. Schmidt is a little bigger, so I think got the first nod for senior selection, but I'd imagine that James' name must have come up quite a bit in selection committee meetings at that time. We weren't playing well at the time, but didn't have a lot of injuries that might have given him an early shot.

Injured a finger in late July, so is cotton-woolled for the year. Probably back in Perth, I'd guess.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't play 5-6 games next year.

I hereby nominate you Nostradamus of the Week. Hawksley hasn't played a proper senior game yet.

Played an NAB Cup game didin't he? Geelong game I think.

[dlanod]

Played an NAB Cup game didin't he? Geelong game I think.


If my memory serves, he did. Hence the "proper". :rolleyes:

[Don Logan]

If my memory serves, he did. Hence the "proper". :rolleyes:

Bad finger injury - won't play again in 2007.

[Grimreepah]

I didn't think Hawksley looked like a deer in the headlights in his NAB Cup game. He was undersized but did some nice things, including a great one handed mark.

[Grimreepah]

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6128/hawksleytw3.jpg

Hawksley after the semi-final win over Geelong in the NAB Cup.

[Grimreepah]

End of Season Player Review

Taken at pick 38 Hawksley is a good example of the ‘running midfielder’ that Leigh said the Lions were chasing in the draft. He looks to be an outside player, with decent pace and skills, but at only 73kgs he still needs to grow a body. He was probably unlikely to get a game in the seniors this year anyway, but a serious finger injury in round 13 forced him to miss the rest of the season.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3728/hawksleyec2.jpg

[lion_gooner]

according to his myspace he is in hospital

hope he gets better soon

[TheBrownDog]

according to his myspace he is in hospital

hope he gets better soon

If its on their MySpace page, but not reported in the media or told to you directly from a player or official, its probably best to not announce it on BigFooty. Especially anything medical.

[dlanod]

If its on their MySpace page, but not reported in the media or told to you directly from a player or official, its probably best to not announce it on BigFooty. Especially anything medical.

If the MySpace page is open to the public, then it does have some expectation that the public are going to read it and talk about it. If it's not something someone wants publicised, it shouldn't be on a publically accessible site.

(Note: the above does not apply if the page is not publically viewable.)

[TheBrownDog]

If the MySpace page is open to the public, then it does have some expectation that the public are going to read it and talk about it. If it's not something someone wants publicised, it shouldn't be on a publically accessible site.

(Note: the above does not apply if the page is not publically viewable.)

Still, some young players might not be aware that there is such interest in their MySpace, let alone a public forum broadcasting such details.

Its a fine line I guess.

[dlanod]

Still, some young players might not be aware that there is such interest in their MySpace, let alone a public forum broadcasting such details.

Its a fine line I guess.

That's a good point - I hope it's something they cover as part of the general young player development I hear the club does these days. It's not something that a lot of people consider (I've had one friend almost get burnt by not thinking about what she wrote on her Livejournal about someone who became her boss down the road).

[lion_gooner]

im not sure if he's profile is on public or not because i added him a while ago wasnt when i added him anyway

i didnt mean to rat about it just thought it would be a good idea to let people know he was in hospital

[lionslady]

it is true. I talk to him. He left for sydney yesty to have surgery on his groin.

[Robbo24]

Where is this guy now?
what is happening?
Still injured? When will we be seeing him for the lions

[TheBrownDog]

Where is this guy now?
what is happening?
Still injured? When will we be seeing him for the lions

Playing reserves.

Needs time to develop.

[danielcanberra]

According to the season guide, he is also called Jimmy.

Woohoo. We have the entire set!!

Jamie, Jared, Jason, James
Jed
Jimmy
Joel, Joel, Joel, Josh, Jonathan
Justin

[Robbo24]

how's the development coming alonganyitme soon we should see him in the firsts?

[Old Den]

how's the development coming alonganyitme soon we should see him in the firsts?

Your can always keep checking here and check the aflq website for Suncoast match reports each week - if he is pushing for selection there will be comment

[xplo]

how's the development coming alonganyitme soon we should see him in the firsts?

Missed the start of the season, and has just started playing AFLQ again.

Would need to push his way past a half dozen blokes at the moment -- Selwood, Lappin, Proud, Mills & Dalziell to name a few -- but his strengths (pace and elite kicking skills) would certainly be in demand in the current side.

[Robbo24]

hope to see him in soon..whats the deal with his contract? did he get a 2 year extension?

[TheBrownDog]

hope to see him in soon..whats the deal with his contract? did he get a 2 year extension?

Would still be on his original 2 year contract.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=56333&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=5465432&sectionID=56333)

Aside from Proud, the Lions had a great contributor in James Hawksley, who not only collected plenty of ball but took the mark of the year with a spectacular leap during the third quarter.

[xplo]

A running player with neat skills and great hands would be a perfect fit for us on a wing at the moment -- although Timmy took a couple of nice grabs this week for a change.

Keep your head down, Hawk.

[mish33]

Poss isn't going to be around forever.

There will be opportunities for wingmen in the next few years. Hawksley still has to get the jump on Cheynee, and I'd say Schmidt is another who's put his hand up.

[Grimreepah]

Named BOG this week against Mount Gravatt, but I would imagine he would still need about another month or two of excellent form to push for selection.

[acuguy]

Named BOG this week against Mount Gravatt, but I would imagine he would still need about another month or two of excellent form to push for selection.

If we have 3 blokes out for the next game then i wouldn't mind betting that he will come into serious contention. From what i have seen on aflq tube he runs hard, good skills and a very good athlete. Lethal may use this opportunity to give him a taste.

[xplo]

Would be tempting to give him or Razzle a crack against Freo.

[Grimreepah]

Hawksley named on an extended bench for the game against Freo.

B: Josh Drummond (39), Daniel Merrett (21), Joel Patfull (24)
HB: Jared Brennan (17), Joel Macdonald (26), Troy Selwood (28)
C: Anthony Corrie (18), Simon Black (20), Tim Notting (8)
HF: Michael Rischitelli (35), Jonathan Brown (16), Justin Sherman (11)
F: Rhan Hooper (33), Daniel Bradshaw (36), Travis Johnstone (4)
Foll: Jamie Charman (19), Luke Power (6), Jed Adcock (7)
Int (from): Scott Harding (5), James Polkinghorne (31), Mitch Clark (1), James Hawksley (12), Robert Copeland (30), Cheynee Stiller (32), Matthew Leuenberger (23)

IN: James Polkinghorne, Robert Copeland, Cheynee Stiller, Matthew Leuenberger, James Hawksley

OUT: Jason Roe (hamstring), Ashley McGrath (hamstring)

NEW: James Hawksley (Peel – W.A)

[Gabbatoir]

Hope he plays!

[Tassie4ever]

At one of the few Suncoast games I have seen this year all I could hear from on-field was "Hawker", mainly, as far as I could see, because he had the ball so much.

One of the very promising types in the 2's who, when they are given their chance, will make us something to be feared in a few years.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23816566-10389,00.html)

BRISBANE has selected West Australian youngster James Hawksley to make his debut in Sunday's clash against the Dockers.
Hawksley is a tall, running midfielder who has been among the best for the Suncoast Lions this season. He is one of a group of young players who are performing well in the reserves and providing coach Leigh Matthews with injury cover each week.

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/641/hawksleych0.jpg

[xplo]

Awesome. He'll play. Was always a good week to try to sneak in a first gamer to see what they had to offer -- as they did with Polks. Razzle was probably a bit stiff.

[mish33]

Awesome. He'll play. Was always a good week to try to sneak in a first gamer to see what they had to offer -- as they did with Polks. Razzle was probably a bit stiff.


not so sure that's what the article intended to say. I think Hammo just meant Hawker made the 25-man squad.

But who knows, he's probably the best replacement for Ash that we've got, so if he gets a run, good luck to the kid!

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsid=60921)

Hawksley to debut
4:59 PM Fri 06 June, 2008

19 year-old midfielder James Hawksley will make his senior debut against Frematle on Sunday afternoon at the Gabba. The young West Australian was chosen by the Lions with Pick No.38 in the 2006 National Draft before a serious finger injury kept him out for most of last season. Hawksley has been impressive in his matches with the Suncoast Lions so far this season playing predominantly on the ball. It will be the first time in three weeks that the Lions have made a change to their senior side.

The Lions’ full team is:

B: Josh Drummond (39), Daniel Merrett (21), Joel Patfull (24)
HB: Jared Brennan (17), Joel Macdonald (26), Troy Selwood (28)
C: Anthony Corrie (18), Simon Black (20), Tim Notting (8)
HF: Michael Rischitelli (35), Jonathan Brown (16), Justin Sherman (11)
F: Rhan Hooper (33), Daniel Bradshaw (36), Travis Johnstone (4)
Foll: Jamie Charman (19), Luke Power (6), Jed Adcock (7)
Int (from): Scott Harding (5), Robert Copeland (30), Mitch Clark (1), James Hawksley (12).
Emerg: James Polkinghorne (31), Cheynee Stiller (32), Matthew Leuenberger (23)

IN: Robert Copeland, James Hawksley
OUT: Jason Roe (hamstring), Ashley McGrath (hamstring)

NEW: James Hawksley (Peel – W.A)


http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/6352/hawksleyur0.jpg

Good luck Hawker:thumbsu:

[blynd_freddie]

Would be tempting to give him or Razzle a crack against Freo.

Great call... Leigh?? :eek: :D

Good luck and kick ass Hawk'a.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23822399-23211,00.html)

Matthews clearly looked forward to second year midfielder Hawksley kick-starting his career after 2007 was sabotaged by a finger injury.

The young West Australian was chosen by the Lions with pick No.38 in the 2006 National Draft.

“We were quite impressed from what we saw of him in pre-season games last year but he got a bad injury that wrecked his year,'' Matthews said.

“He has only started playing again in the last five weeks or so.

“He's been a good defender at reserve level.''

[xplo]

not so sure that's what the article intended to say. I think Hammo just meant Hawker made the 25-man squad.

But who knows, he's probably the best replacement for Ash that we've got, so if he gets a run, good luck to the kid!


I know the article didn't say that. I was stating my opinion that he'd play -- mainly based on the fact that:

a). we haven't been forced by circumstance to test some of these guys yet (unlike the previous three years) so they're probably curious to see some of them under match conditions;

b). they did seem to use the last home game against a bottom 4 side (Dees) as a chance to test-drive a new kiddie (Polkinghorne).

Seemed a reasonable position to take again this week.

[acuguy]

If we have 3 blokes out for the next game then i wouldn't mind betting that he will come into serious contention. From what i have seen on aflq tube he runs hard, good skills and a very good athlete. Lethal may use this opportunity to give him a taste.

Look forward to seeing him play well today

[mish33]

Yep I see where you're coming from xplo. Good to see him be given a chance in the big time.

Freo are also a tall side up forward, so as probably our smallest defender he's probably not going to be under the same pressure as if he were up against the dogs next week. Do you think he'll play on Farmer, Mayne or maybe Palmer if he's up there? Haven't seen much of Mayne, but I'd prefer JMac or Drummo on Farmer, just the bigger body.

Polkinhorne has been very good in the games I've seen of his since playing his first AFL game. I reckon Hawker will get a lot out of this game too, regardless of his impact.

[dlanod]

Quiet game in his first, but that's hardly a sin. Showed a willingness to go and get the ball instead of standing around waiting for it to come out at least.

[notting18]

His off the ball effort was a good sign for the future.

[acuguy]

You forget how slight these younger blokes can be, good for him to get a taste of it. Will definitely work harder in the weights room after being out in the thick of the action.

[charles202]

Didnt have an eye catching game, but as stated earlier did a lot of the off theball things, was key in the setup of one of our goals that involved Black (cant remember if Black kicked it or hand passed off to someone who did).

I think the kid will have a future.

[dlanod]

Six disposals, two marks, three 1%ers.

[Grimreepah]

I didn't think the game was anything to write home about. The positive IMO was that he did try to take the game on, but he butchered his disposal and obvioulsy got very little of it. Would be surprised if he kept his spot for next week.

Maybe he can take solace in the fact that most of our debutantes these days tend to have fairly poor games.

[John]

Didnt have an eye catching game, but as stated earlier did a lot of the off theball things, was key in the setup of one of our goals that involved Black (cant remember if Black kicked it or hand passed off to someone who did).

I think the kid will have a future.

Blacky scored and he looked straight to James and gave him a good one for his hard work.

For me he looked like a player who is willing to get his head over the ball and is willing to take a hit. Mathews likes these type of players.

[mpal6]

Good game from Hawker.. has that poise and awareness.
He was trying his best to get back to Rioli when Franklin centered a kick in 3rd quarter. valiant effort.

[Grimreepah]

Was a lot better in his 2nd game than his first, as evidenced by a jump from 54% gametime to 76%.

With Drummond injured I suspect Hawksley will slot into that quarterback role. That has been his role for Suncoast in the few games I have seen.

[Lehmo87]

Was a lot better in his 2nd game than his first, as evidenced by a jump from 54% gametime to 76%.

With Drummond injured I suspect Hawksley will slot into that quarterback role. That has been his role for Suncoast in the few games I have seen.

Now that Drummond is injured again, what do you think the chances are of Hakwsley filling in that role full time especially if Drummond has another injure plagued year in 2009?

[Grimreepah]

Now that Drummond is injured again, what do you think the chances are of Hakwsley filling in that role full time especially if Drummond has another injure plagued year in 2009?

I don't think he will replace Drummond but rather compliment him. Drummo stands out like a beacon in terms of skills, but ideally you'd like to be a bit more like the Hawks who have a number of players who can zone off and create the play.

[_Gin]

Will he keep his spot next week?

[dlanod]

Will he keep his spot next week?

Fingers crossed.

[Lehmo87]

Will he keep his spot next week?

I hope so. If we're gonna fall out of finals contention, I'd at least wanna play the younger guys to get something out of the end of the season.

[Grimreepah]

Hawksley is display great skills, he is good by hand and foot.

Yeah, that seems to be his strength. He has been a lot better in each of his three games and he is starting to find his feet.

I was thinking before how rarely we switch these days. Players like Hawksley will give us the confidence and ability to be a bit more creative with our play and increase our attacking options.

[John]

He gets his head over the ball, a big plus. Mathews likes these types of players.

[notting18]

The only aspect i think he is really lacking is strength in the marking contest when in defense. However, after giving his body a few years to develop, which will help that weakness, he could be a very dangerous player after some very promising outings in recent weeks.

[Judge]

What are your thoughts on his legspeed?

I like his skills and composure, but a couple of times last night he just looked a little slow in getting to the contest. I tend to think this is more likely due to him taking time to adjust to the tempo of AFL than any lack of pace per se, as he has looked quite sharp previously.

[notting18]

What are your thoughts on his legspeed?

I like his skills and composure, but a couple of times last night he just looked a little slow in getting to the contest. I tend to think this is more likely due to him taking time to adjust to the tempo of AFL than any lack of pace per se, as he has looked quite sharp previously.

He did have serious groin issues for a while and missed a lot of running as a result. That maybe could be a factor.

[acuguy]

His speed in AFLQ looks really good, i dare say after his games this year he will be looking at improving his stregth and fitness. The usual area for young players.

With Hawksley, Dalziell and Proud we have some skilled young footballers, just what we needed.

[TheBrownDog]

His speed in AFLQ looks really good, i dare say after his games this year he will be looking at improving his stregth and fitness. The usual area for young players.

With Hawksley, Dalziell and Proud we have some skilled young footballers, just what we needed.

Yeah, a few months ago, our midfield stocks for the future were looking beyond dismal.

Now with Rischa stepping up his performances and bordering on the elite level, Adcock showing signs of getting back to where he was last year, Dalziell is a freak... and Proud, Hawksley et all showing their potential... thinks arent looking so grim anymore.

Still need to pick up the classiest available mids with our first couple of picks this year, but yeah, future is looking okay to me.

[chopperduck]

Hawksley did stand out to me v the dogs. played a solid game without being great. didn't look out of depth tho. did some very brave things too which is fantastic.