Rookie to riches: Wanganeen's rise

[Ricochet]

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/2014-03-21/rookie-to-riches-wanganeens-rise.workstation

ASSISTANT Coach Luke Beveridge says Derick Wanganeen's improvement from 2013 to 2014 has been immense, as the 23 year old prepares to make his AFL debut in Saturday's clash against Brisbane.

Wanganeen earned his debut after an impressive pre-season and NAB Challenge series, in which his hardness and dependability as a small defender shone.

He was upgraded onto the primary list in place of the injured Brendan Whitecross on Wednesday and then named in the Hawthorn side to take on Brisbane on Thursday night.

It has been a long time coming for the South Australian, who spent three seasons on the rookie list before be delisted and then re-rookied at the end of last year.

[Mr.Craig]

I was certainly one who was calling for his head but I'd underestimated just how well he had taken on the half back role.

[Ricochet]

You have quite a few rotating through HB now Craig... well rumours that they will anyway.
Wanganeen, Mitchell, Birchall, Suckling, Rioli.
Do you reckon Suckers could play more of a wing role?

[Mr.Craig]

I've never seen a team with such loosely defined positions. Pretty much anyone could be anywhere at any point and that's what makes us dangerous. Wangas will probably be shunted quite soon and I'm not sold on Rioli playing a huge amount in the backline, at least not until Anderson starts firing. I'd back Suckers in to take to kick in's but I'm sure he'll move up the ground at times. If anyone marks 60m out he'll probably be buzzing around ready to take the handball receive and bomb it. 16 goals in 2012.