Introduction A creative and versatile player hailing from Western Australia, James Hawksley is a medium-sized midfielder/defender who has wonderful foot skills and a great understanding of the game. With senior experience under his belt, he can now expect to push for a more regular senior position. Background • Hawksley played most of his junior football with Safety Beach where he won three Best and Fairest awards before moving to Mandurah Centrals after U13s where he won a further two Best and Fairests. He later played with Peel Thunder in the WAFL. • He was also a skilled cricketer as a junior but decided to pursue a football career as it provided greater opportunities. • He was an AIS/AFL Academy graduate who represented Western Australia at both the U16 and U18 level where he impressed national scouts. • He was also a member of the Australian team that took on the Irish in the U17 International Series in Perth and was named among the team’s best players. • Highly touted prior to the 2006 AFL National Draft, Hawksley was snapped up by the Brisbane Lions with their fourth round selection (Pick No.38 overall). • Hawksley was allocated the number 12 guernsey which had famously been worn by Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis before he was traded to the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2006. 2007 • Like the majority of draftees, the thinly built first-year player began his debut season with the Suncoast Lions where he impressed playing in a variety of roles both on the wing and across half-back. • He ruptured a tendon in his finger during a training drill midway through the season which forced him to miss the final nine matches of the AFLQ season. • As he was unable to participate in any training drills due to his hand cast, Hawksley spent time recovering back home with his family in Western Australia. 2008 • After some impressive displays for the Suncoast Lions early in the season, Hawksley earned a call-up for his first senior match in Round 11 against the Fremantle at the Gabba. • He experienced little game time during his debut performance against the Dockers and was sent back to the Club’s reserves side the following week. • He returned to the senior team in Round 19 against Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania and showed poise beyond his years playing across half-back. • He retained his spot for the three consecutive senior matches including an exciting performance against the Western Bulldogs in Round 20 when he collected 17 disposals and took four marks in defence. • He was omitted for the side’s final match against Sydney at the SCG but finished the season with valuable experience in four senior matches. 2009 • Hawksley started the 2009 season playing with the Lions Reserves side where he remained one of their key players. He played predominantly on the half-back line and his clean skills and cool head under pressure were highlights of his performances. • He was regularly among the Reserves' best but didn't crack it for a senior game until Round 18 against Collingwood at the MCG. Although the Lions lost heavily to the Magpies, Hawksley's effort was one of few shining lights in an otherwise disappointing outing. • He became a regular fixture of the senior side and played the final five matches of the home-and-away season. • He was unlucky to be omitted from the senior team on the eve of the Finals, but was given a late call-up after Josh Drummond failed to complete a fitness test. He played in both of the Lions' 2009 Finals to take his career games tally to 11. • He averaged 12.6 disposals across seven matches in 2009 and gained more valuable senior experience.
2010 • Hawksley quickly proved himself as a valuable defender in the Lions Reserves, and was called to the senior side early in the season to take on Port Adelaide in round 3. • He was a regular on the list from this point on, playing 10 of the next 11 games before returning to the reserves in round 14. • He returned to the senior side for his final game for the Lions in 2010 against Geelong in round 17. • Across these 11 games, he impressed with his versatility and collected an average of 16 disposals per game.
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