Ben McEvoy spent the past five weeks in the reserves, but never did the Hawthorn ruckman give up on his AFL grand final dream.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McEvoy left St Kilda at the end of last season, joining the Hawks with high hopes of finally being part of a premiership outfit.
The form of Jonathon Ceglar and various injury setbacks meant McEvoy’s move hasn’t gone completely to plan.
But coach Alastair Clarkson has recalled McEvoy when it matters.
“Clarko has said all along, he’ll pick the best 22 to beat Sydney tomorrow,” McEvoy said yesterday.
“I’ve had to fight really hard.
“AFL footy is tough at the best of times, but try getting a spot in one of the two best teams in the league.”
When McEvoy was dropped after round 21, Clarkson made it clear what he needed to work on in the VFL.
Since then, he’s been mostly in the dark about Clarkson’s ruck plans for today.
“There wasn’t a lot of contact. There didn’t need to be really, it was just about me going away and doing my thing,” McEvoy said.
“It’s always challenging, but everyone goes through those challenging times.
“I always knew there was a chance of a recall, so I kept working hard.
“I’m pretty good at handling it — channelling it into working hard training hard and playing good footy.”
McEvoy knows the heartbreak Ceglar is experiencing, having been dropped for the 2010 grand final by Saints’ coach Ross Lyon.
GENERAL
SPORT
