As the season went past the mid way point I was exposed to travelling with the team on a few occasions as an emergency. That experience itself was enjoyable as it introduced me into the AFL program from a match perspective. Both the day before and day of the game was something I had never been apart of before with the AFL team as they prepared for their match against whoever they were scheduled to play. The intrigue of preparing yet not completely knowing if I would be a required player on the day was something I found a little different for sure. Nonetheless even if I wasn’t going to play I felt very much apart of the AFL over those two days of preparation and would be around the group right up until the first bounce from there I would then have to get on a flight and head back to Melbourne so that I could prepare myself for the game I would be taking part in for Box Hill the next day. I remember the first time this occurred in the 2014 season, Hawthorn vs. Adelaide at Adelaide oval - admittedly this was the first time I was travelling with the AFL squad and then caught the flight home that night (as I wasn’t called up) to then play the next morning against Port Melbourne.. I really didn’t adjust my preparation as best as I could have, regardless of timing or routine or experience, I felt that I let myself and my teammates down the next day as I was fairly sloppy with my disposal and didn’t impact the game as I would’ve liked. Even though being a travelling emergency felt like I was getting closer to making my debut - I recognised I still needed to perform game day for Box Hill and on that occasion I didn’t which I was disappointed with, but something I accepted and learnt from.

The morning of the 22nd July 2014 started as per usual with divisional meetings (fwds, backs and mids) discussing the previous AFL game from the weekend just passed and highlighting areas of the game that were both positive and opportunities for improvement. These meeting were often great chances for the players (younger players in particular) to further learn their craft as players by watching, listening and answering/asking questions from the AFL group as discussion were always done as a group and open to the floor. This is where I personally improved as a player in the previous two years as even though I wasn’t playing, being a student of the game and developing my understanding of what it exactly took to become an AFL player meant that even though 2014 was my return year to playing football once again - yes it took me a while to find my feet but my mind had developed a lot from the simplistic ‘see ball, get ball’ 18 year old teenager that was drafted from Sandringham.. I still felt I had improved as a player even though physically I wasn’t contributing on the field. Yes early on in the season I had to keep my focus and role clear and not overthink playing the game as I was returning from injury, however as the season continued and definitely with the help of the coaches/assistant coaches and players available to utilise for feedback and development at Hawthorn and Box Hill (Damien Carroll, Cameron Bruce, Brett Ratten, Marco Bello, Alastair Clarkson plus many others) I was able to identify that my strength as a contested midfielder was evident and I had built a reputation amongst the VFL competition as a player that could play that position well and needed to be respected. However, if I wanted to break into the AFL I needed to add another component to my game, impact the match in other ways whether that be using some break away speed from the stoppage or hitting the scoreboard or overall just being more efficient with my touches. I simply couldn’t be a contested midfielder and rely on that to get me a game. And that was my focus in the second half of the 2014 season.

Once the divisional meeting had finished that morning ‘Clarko’ then called the whole squad into the team meeting room. Surprise meetings often popped up on occasions sometimes to address something that was worth mentioning to the whole playing group other times to hear some words from the staff up stairs and on other occasions for recognition in some form. On this occasion Clarko brought everyone into the room to announce that I would be making my debut for the AFL side that weekend against Sydney, Saturday night. As the room grew with elation as the players and staff alike didn’t hold back with their celebrations of the news I honestly could not have had a bigger smile on my face even if I tried. Finally I was going to get my chance to live my childhood dream on the MCG in front of the Hawthorn faithful alongside my teammates. It had definitely been a long time coming and I did this the hard way but I felt that I truly earnt that call up to the AFL team.. Happy was an understatement to how I was feeling at that moment.

As I was met with handshakes and hugs and smiles after the meeting, there was definitely a positive vibe around the group and club as I was about to finally represent Hawthorn in a few days time. Come Thursday - one of my closest friends Max Bailey came down to the club to hand over my guernsey on an official basis. With his kind words and advise I felt very proud to be representing the No.39 that weekend as Max once did in the previous seasons. The triumph he finally was able to achieve as a premiership player after all of his challenges was definitely enough motivation for me in the lead up to not only this season but to the upcoming game against Sydney. As news spread around social media that I was finally going to make my debut, my phone was lighting up with texts and phone calls from people (past and present) who wanted to congratulate me.. I couldn’t help but relate that moment to the very similar moment of when I just got drafted and how my phone reacted from that news. In the lead up to the game I appreciated the advice the Andrew Russell (performance/conditioning coach) provided me as he told me that once I stepped out on the field that I was just going to be just another player. Yes, my story of perseverance and how I got to debut was admirable but once the ball is bounced I needed to just play my role and start my career as an AFL player regardless of my history. That really resounded with me and helped me keep my focus relatively clear as I got closer to the game.

Debut: July 26th, 2014 Rd.18 vs. Sydney. Crowd: 72,000

What a day it was. A Saturday night match up against two of the premier teams in the competition.. And I was about to make my debut in this fierce rivalry. I did feel very privileged to be picked to play in this game knowing that it was to be an almighty battle for 4 quarters. I remember the day of the I couldn’t help but feel nervous and excited at the same time. Those feelings I really didn’t try to fight at all as I personally see them as a good sense of care for the game and for the moment ahead. I was chosen to be the Substitute in this game meaning I had to wait in my fluorescent vest until I was called upon to actually step out on the field for the first time. This only prolonged my wait and eagerness to be apart of the game.

As I arrived to park my car at the MCG this feeling of arriving to the ground wasn’t too dissimilar to the times previously where I had done the same thing as an emergency. This time was different though.. I actually knew I was going to play this game.. I didn’t exactly know when but that didn’t matter to me. The feeling of actually knowing I was going to play as I was arriving to the game was definitely one of my favourite moments looking back to the actual day of my debut. It had been a long time coming and I was ready to get to work. As I went through my game day routine whilst counting down the meetings and minutes until the first bounce, I definitely absorbed the atmosphere before the game I warmed up. This is what I dreamt of for so long. I had never played on the MCG before and to do it in front of a healthy crowd of 70,000, my eyes coloured with brown and gold, red and white as I looked around and took it all in.

With the coach’s final address I was then up the race with my teammates and the No.39 on my back and running through the banner and brown and gold flags coloured the stadium. As I was donned the ‘sub vest’ I had to wait my turn and watch until it was my turn. The tight contest was definitely a spectacle as the likes of Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge completed hard and with class against some of the competition’s elite in Adam Goodes, Lance Franklin and Kieran Jack.. the list goes on regarding some of the greats of the game being apart of this match.  Finally just before ¾ time I was called up to replace Jonathon Ceglar. Admittedly being the Substitute coming into the game towards the end of the game was definitely all new to me but nonetheless I couldn’t wait to be out there. My first contest was a simple pick up and handball off out of a centre bounce - will always remember my first touch. As the game continued to swing in regards to momentum by the end of the game I was so elated to be on winning side when the final siren blew. My first game was a win. Although statistically I really didn’t have a massive impact on the game it will always go down as my first game and my first win and the night I was able to live my childhood dream of playing AFL on the big stage of the MCG. To the next nervous moment.. That being in the middle of the circle by myself whilst my teammates sung around me. “We’re a happy team at Hawthorn…” and off we went, once the song was finished the great moment of my teammates and coaches getting around me was arguably the best feeling as I felt they were genuinely happy for me for this was a big achievement and something I definitely had to work hard for.

Debut Photo Gallery:

I was able to hold my spot in the team for the next week against the Western Bulldogs in Tasmania and this time I was able to play a full game which was a great feeling. I built on my performance the previous week. Still not my absolute best performance but I felt it was progression as I was transitioning to the speed of AFL. Again we were able to come away with the victory and it was an amazing feeling to be able to contribute a little bit more this week and be amongst the contest right from the get go. Unfortunately that would be the last time I played for the AFL team that season as I was dropped the following week for more experience as the AFL team was building towards its finals runs as the season was progressing towards the end. With some good feedback I accepted my fate again identified areas that I needed to fix/improve upon in order to play regular senior footy at AFL level. Satisfied with my 2 games for the season? Not at all - I still wanted to prove my worth as a player to the Hawks so as I went back to Box Hill, I wanted to have the right attitude and pick up where I left off form wise as the VFL side was similarly making their run towards the finals as the season was ending. I still wanted to perform at a high level and continue to still try and break my way into the side again, regardless of what stage of the season it was. I felt like it was the right attitude to have coming back to VFL whilst also staying team orientated.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing my first season at Box Hill Hawks (Hawthorn’s affiliate club). The comradery amongst teammates whether they were Box Hill listed or Hawthorn listed was built with really good trust and chemistry so when it came to game day ever one was very much on the same page with objectives and we all had a common goal of team success. I was fortunate that my teammates at Box Hill really embraced me as a player returning from injury as I myself hadn’t quite built the on field relationships that I would’ve liked with the players in the previous years due to the fact that I was obviously just sitting on the sidelines crutches in hand or compression on my right leg. As the 2014 season rolled on and as I started to gain some football conditioning in my body and trust the fact my performances were making a difference in the games I played for Box Hill - I was confident in my body and my ability come game day as I put on the brown and gold each week as we made a run into the finals. Playing at Box Hill (Hawthorn's affiliate club) was never seen as a burden or something to be disheartened by for me. I enjoyed representing them as a club and I was to be apart of their team each time I stepped out on the field. No doubt the challenge was to stand out in more ways than one whilst maintaining the close bonds with my teammates and coaches. The team first mindset whilst showing my capabilities seemed to go hand in hand for me throughout the 2014 season in particular the back end of the season as I really started to group some consistent performances. Getting tagged or having attention placed on me was something I never shied away from - I was flattered by it if I were to be completely honest and it wasn't something I expected but it always showed me that my progression as a footballer in the VFL competition was building and I warranted the respect of my opposition. 

One thing I’ll never forget was the pleasing and humbling surprise of winning the J.J Liston Medal. To be judged to be the standout amongst a raft of players deserving the award was something I never imagined. I clearly remember getting the invitation quite late to go to the event and I actually asked if it was necessary for me to go as I thought I really wasn’t any chance of coming close to winning. The response of ‘yes you have to be there’ and the fact that there was a meal on the table for me was enough for me to put my suit on and make sure I was in attendance for the Box Hill Hawks. As the rounds went by and I kept hearing my name being called out as the final few rounds approached. It was fair to saw my appetite left me as I sat nervously awaiting to see what the end result would be. And then my name out of all my counterparts was called out as the overall winner after the last round.. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face even if I tried. As I said my thank yous and voiced appreciation to those who had been with me every step of the way. To literally go to this night and expect nothing and come away with what the night was all about was something I will always cherish. Another moment that will always be stuck in my thoughts was the moment I told my old man. He had been working night shift in the cab (my dad drives cabs for a living - coming up to 30 years now) and when I actually told him I had won he pulled over on the freeway and couldn’t believe the news. Moments like when my friends and family and all my support are just as.. If not more elated then I am when I receive any form of good fortune. That really fills me with purpose and ultimately gives me more happiness then any award could ever provide me. I may have come back from adversity throughout this season, but there was definitely a whole team behind me that contributed to putting me back on the field. I cannot thank them enough and they know exactly who they are.

As both Box Hill and Hawthorn made the Grand Finals in their respective competition - it signified that it was all in all a really successful year for the Hawthorn Football club as all (if not most) of their players were still playing games of football come the business end of the season. I was able to train with the AFL squad throughout the final series and I absolutely loved that. I had become so accustomed to being in rehab recovering from my knee when it was time for finals the previous 2 years, so to be to take part and train this time was something I didn’t take for granted. Unfortunately for Box Hill (where I was playing) we lost the Grand Final that season to a resurgent Footscray team that ran over the top of us in the last quarter by 3 goals as we ran out of legs. Hawthorn on the other hand had a defiant victory over fierce competitors Sydney in what was a well executed match by my fellow teammates and coaches as right from the first bounce the tone was set and the momentum seemed to be our way and we pulled away from the Swans and maintained the lead right until the final siren. Hodgey was special that day as he led the way from the front and stamped his authority in all facets of the game. The beauty about being apart of such a successful club that was in an era where Grand Finals were a regular luxury was the fact that even though I wasn't playing on the day.. the celebrations on the ground, the brown and gold confetti in the sky, the theme song sounding out strongly as the Hawthorn faithful proudly sung at the top of their lungs.. this was what footy truly was all about, moments like this. 22 players earned their medals that day but as a whole group we were just as happy for one another despite the misfortune of the Box Hill side. That was a memorable day to say the least.

Overall 2014 was very special to me. The reality of being able to contribute on the field in more ways than one gave me so much satisfaction. Furthermore to repay the faith that the hawks put in me in some capacity and be rewarded with another contract was another feat in itself. Finally bouncing back against some adversity and genuinely making people around me happy and ecstatic about the fact that I had a turn of luck for the first time in a couple years. To make my debut and live out my childhood dream and to be able to bring my family to that occasion as well. To maintain my balanced lifestyle with my studies and enjoyment outside of football whilst also playing on the weekends was the routine that I had always wanted since I was drafted.

The year 2014 was a season I will always be proud of. One that I’ll never forget and hopefully a year that I hope to emulate or better in the years to come.

CLICK HERE: Season Review 2014 - ALEX WOODWARD