By JARROD POTTER
A NEVER-give-up attitude helped former Noble Park footballer Alex Woodward overcome injury and achieve a boyhood dream.
Persevering and patience are big words in Woodward’s vocabulary and he would know the need to work your way through adversity better than most.
After a horror run with injuries throughout his three seasons on the Hawthorn AFL main-list – including a pair of knee reconstructions – Woodward, 21, formerly from Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup, was able to run out onto the MCG last weekend and make a memorable debut.
Woodward was tapped on the back and given his inaugural AFL jumper by former team mate and previous number 39 wearer Max Bailey – a great feeling for the young midfielder to get the stripes off one of his best mates from his time at Hawthorn.
“It was the greatest feeling and I obviously didn’t expect it,” Woodward said.
“How it happened was out of the blue as well – all of the boys were in the gym and Clarko (Alistair Clarkson) brought the boys in to the lecture and announced I’d be playing.
“We’re very close friends so it was a bit emotional for him (Bailey) – he’s never been in that position to hand over a jumper before so it was a great honour for him and I couldn’t have been more happy for him to hand over my first jumper.”
His Hawks snared a 10-point win over current rivals Sydney, with Woodward having to wait until the third quarter to get his chance as the substitute.
“I only played a quarter and a bit but probably just getting my first kick,” Woodward said.
“That was a great feeling and I was finally able to play out on the MCG… in front of that sort of crowd, something I’d never imagined before… it was a dream come true for me.
Woodward was beset by the playing group and spraying in the traditional post-win Gatorade shower and felt privileged to be part of the milestone moment for not only himself, but his entire family.
He encouraged anyone battling injury to stick at it, as there’s always a bright side to the struggles of day-to-day recovery.
I’ve been in that position before, but probably the main thing is to be patient,” Woodward said.
“Persevere with whatever you’re doing – football or any other sport – because if you’re willing to do the hard yards it’s going to pay dividends eventually.”
Woodward retained his spot in the Hawthorn line-up for its clash on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston.
