Savage a premier pick

By Paul Pickering
SHANE Savage was “at home relaxing” when he heard his name called by the reigning AFL premiers in Saturday‘s National Draft.
As the fifth round drew towards a close it looked like the 17-year-old midfielder would be heading back to Shepley Oval next season for another TAC Cup campaign with the Dandenong Stingrays.
Minutes later he was a Hawk.
The Narre Warren South teenager was selected with Hawthorn’s fifth pick in the draft, making him the 75th of 79 players chosen.
But unlike many of his peers, Savage had the luxury of knowing that he would still be eligible for the draft in 2009.
“I didn’t want to expect anything as a bottom-ager, and knowing that I had another chance at the draft made it easier and took the pressure off me a little bit,” he said.
“I still got a bit anxious around pick 70, so it was just awesome to hear my name called out.”
Savage said the prospect of playing alongside premiership stars Buddy Franklin and Luke Hodge was a little daunting.
“It’s hard to believe at the moment and I was pretty nervous at first,” he said.
Having completed his studies as part of the Eumemmerring College football program this year, Savage plans to stay at home during his rookie season and make the short trip to Waverley Park for training.
The former Dandenong Saints and Noble Park junior was among three 17-year-olds chosen by the Hawks on Saturday, and he is looking forward to joining one of the youngest lists in the league.
Hawthorn has been widely praised for its shrewd recruiting in recent years and the club made no secret of its strategy on Saturday.
General manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said Savage’s selection was part of a plan to recruit the best bottom-age talent before the new Gold Coast franchise’s concession picks come into play next year.
“With limited opportunities over the next three years, we thought that going young was the best option,” Pelchen explained.
“Looking ahead, we didn’t think Shane would be (taken) outside the first three rounds next year.
“He’s an outside midfielder with genuine speed and he uses the ball very well, so we look forward to him coming on board next year.”
Savage knows he will have to work for his opportunities within a deep Hawthorn list.
“I know they’re a good team and I’ve got a lot to develop,” he said.
“So I’ll just train hard and hope I get my chance.”
He made his first appearance at Hawthorn training on Tuesday, before heading to Darwin with the team on Wednesday.