McEvoy earns faith

HAWTHORN has handed premiership ruckman Ben McEvoy a contract extension through to 2021 as it continues to experiement with him as an unlikely centre half-back.

McEvoy, 30, will play against Melbourne in Launceston tonight after suffering a corked thigh just two minutes and 19 seconds into the Hawks’ Marsh Series clash against St Kilda.

Ruck-forwards have been a dimea-dozen across history but few 203cm ruckmen have found a new role at centre half-back.

Clarkson will look to continue the left-field concept as he is said to be determined to get more game time into another big Hawk Jon Ceglar — who was dropped for McEvoy in the 2014 premiership victory.

The Hawks have yet to announce the McEvoy deal, but it is understood it was agreed on after they lost Marc Pittonet to Carlton in the trade period. Assistant coach Scott Burns revealed yesterday McEvoy might have been selected to play as a ruckman for Victoria if not for that corked leg, yet the Hawks have other plans.

His two-match trial in rounds 22 and 23 last year was deemed a success, as he kept Sam Day goalless than restricted Jack Darling to two goals in 89 minutes of game time. Against Gold Coast he took four intercept marks and won eight intercept possessions then the following week had four intercept marks against the Eagles.

Burns said yesterday McEvoy had a future in defence. “[He was a] bit unlucky, he had a nasty little corky, but he’s been training all week so looks good so he will come back in tomorrow,” he said. “He may get a bit of time in the ruck, but we need to have a good look at him back.”