Hawks Continue Their NZ Foray

[Mr.Craig]

Just to clear it up, he had 8 kicks in those 2 games. So 50% were goals.

Still not a bad conversion rate. :D

[Hawka]

Very raw so will take time to develop but good to see he knows where the goals are :)

[Mr.Craig]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-07-17/kiwi-kurt-gets-hip

KURT Heatherley will play his first game of 2013 next week as Hawthorn's New Zealander finally returns from hip surgeries.

Heatherley, who will be added this year as a Hawks international rookie having been developed through the NZ scholarship program, has been out of action since February after having bone shaved off both hips.

The rehabilitation has been slow but Heatherley targeted a return in late July and will fulfill that aim by playing for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup next weekend.

"The surgery had to be done at some stage and the medical guys thought it was best to have it done this year so he gets a clear run into next year," Hawks list manager Graham Wright told AFL.com.au.

"He's champing at the bit to get out there. He's been in his own pre-season since early May so he's done a lot of work and he thinks he's ready to go, and so do our guys."

Heatherley probably would have played this weekend, but it is a bye round in the TAC Cup competition. 

The 192cm prospect is being groomed by the Hawks as a key defender, with his agility and athleticism having impressed recruiters when he was first spotted playing basketball in 2009.

Heatherley has enjoyed picking the brain of fellow Hawks defender Brian Lake while on the sidelines, and Mark McKenzie, the club's recruiter and special projects manager, has overseen his development.

"Mark's been really impressed with the way he's applied himself, especially since he's returned from Europe with the AIS-AFL Academy," Wright said.

[Mr.Craig]

Heatherley played his first game of the season last weekend after recovering from his hip issues. Didn't get a heap of it but was named in the best which is a positive. :)

[Hawka]

Heatherley played his first game of the season last weekend after recovering from his hip issues. Didn't get a heap of it but was named in the best which is a positive. :)

For his his first game this year that is a solid effort! good signs!

[Mr.Craig]

Last weekend Heatherley had what is probably the best game of his short career.

13 kicks, 4 handballs, 9 marks and 5 tackles. 8)

[Mr.Craig]

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2013-10-30/hawks-welcome-heatherley-tatupu-as-international-rookies.workstation



HAWTHORN is pleased to welcome International Scholarship holders Kurt Heatherley and Shem Tatupu to the Club as International Rookies. As part of the first list lodgement process on Wednesday, the Club has listed the pair with the AFL as International Rookies.

Heatherley, a 192cm prospect has been groomed as a defender during his development program with the Club, while Tatupu has played most of his football as a hulking 196cm and 104kg ruckman/forward.

Recruiting and List Manager, Graham Wright says the Club believe the pair has what it takes to make it at AFL level and are excited to officially welcome them to the Club.

"We think both have got real scope to push into the senior team at some stage, we've got really high hopes for them," he told hawthornfc.com.au

"It's been a long wait - we've had them for two-three years as International Scholarship players, so for them to finally come onto our list (is exciting)."

Heatherley, who was signed as a 16 year old in 2009 and moved to Melbourne soon after spent most of 2013 at the Ricoh Centre recuperating from hip surgery before continuing his development program with the Club. He did, however, return late in the year to play a handful of games with TAC Cup side Sandringham Dragons.

During his development training, Heatherley has impressed with his competitiveness, versatility and athleticism thanks to his background in a number of different sports including basketball, cricket, rugby and athletics. Recruiting and List Manager Graham Wright believes it's only a matter of time before Heatherley makes an impact at AFL level.

"He performed really well with Sandringham and actually, in every game he got better and better, which is what we thought (would happen)," he said.

"He is primed to have a big pre-season and hopefully isn't too far away from being able to play at the level. We think he will certainly play AFL footy, it's just a matter of how soon.

"He'll develop in the system and I'm sure he'll come through and play at some stage."

Tatupu joined the Club's International Scholarship scheme in 2011 but remained in his hometown, Auckland where he completed development sessions with AFLNZ and Hawthorn. In that time, he has shown great development with his physical strength, marking, speed and agility for his size some of his most impressive attributes.

He has spent time in Melbourne over the past two years to visit the Club and undergo training at the Ricoh Centre. During a visit in mid-2013, he also played matches for TAC Cup side Oakleigh Chargers and a game for Box Hill's Development team. 

"We've had less access to him but he's been under a pretty strict program there in New Zealand and has developed as well," Wright said.

"We're looking forward to having him here."

Heatherley will begin pre-season training with the first to fourth year players on 18 November, while Tatupu will begin his training the following week due to schooling commitments in New Zealand.

[Mr.Craig]

Kurt Heatherley (left) in his first official training session with the Hawks. :)

[Mr.Craig]

[Bill Manspeaker]

his shoulders don't look in proportion to the rest of his arms... maybe it's just me

[Nige]

his shoulders don't look in proportion to the rest of his arms... maybe it's just me

Nope, I see what you're getting at.

[JBs-Hawks]

Leave the kid alone, he was shredding for stereos!

[CrowsFan]

Looks like he needs to work on his delts...

[Ziplock]

It might just be the angle/ pose guys :P

[Mr.Craig]

Getting to know Shem.