Teenage Drysdale defender Luke Preece recovers from 18 months on the sidelines to star for the Hawks

A rookie Drysdale backman has bounced back after 18 months on the sidelines with injury to be a key weapon in the Hawks’ charge for a BFL flag.

A teenage Drysdale defender has made a relatively seamless switch to the seniors despite recovering from major surgery and being out of the game for 18 months.

Luke Preece, 19, has shone in the finals for the Hawks, shutting down Barwon Heads key forward Brock Close on Saturday after half time as Drysdale won a thrilling BFL preliminary final by nine points.

Preece, who made his senior debut in round 1 this year, hadn’t played since a collarbone injury in the final round of the under-17s in 2021.

He would undergo a collarbone reconstruction last August after re-breaking the bone several times.

However, he was able to still lift weights so Preece began the task of putting on more weight in preparation for his return to the field — something he will continue to do over the off-season.

Preece is proud of how far he has come in 2023, recording 15 senior matches so far.

“I hadn’t played footy for 18 months before the start of the season,” Preece said.

“It was a little bit of a slow start when I first came into the seniors, playing against men for the first time and not playing for so long.”

Barwon Heads forward Brock Close kicks under pressure from Luke Preece. Picture: Alan Barber

However, Preece has grown into one of the Hawks’ most dependable defenders, named by his club as best on ground in a two-point loss to Barwon Heads in a qualifying final.

He also shone down back in the Hawks’ win over Anglesea in a semi-final the following weekend.

He stepped up again in Saturday’s prelim.

Seagulls forward Brock Close, who had kicked nine goals from two games against the Hawks this year, started strongly at Grinter Reserve, taking a bunch of contested marks.

However, Preece did a sterling job on Close after half time, who would record just one, first quarter goal.

Preece said he had been working hard with his coaches and fellow players on how to use his body and smarts while lacking the size of fully grown opponents.

Preece takes a mark in front of Close in the BFL preliminary final. Picture: Alan Barber

“It’s good to finally feel confident in my ability,” he said.

“The more games I play the more comfortable I feel.

“I’m starting to get the hang of it a little bit.”

Drysdale are now on the cusp of its first premiership since 2010, but face a powerful, 18-1 Torquay outfit in the decider this Saturday.

However, the Hawks are the only team to have beaten the Tigers this year — a one-point victory in Round 17.

Drysdale coach Ben Carmichael celebrates the win over Barwon Heads. BFL Preliminary Finals Football. Barwon Heads v Drysdale. Picture: Alan Barber

“I’ll just keep bringing it and see how far we can go ... we’re all putting in the work,” he said.

He also said Hawks coach Ben Carmichael signing for another two years would give the squad further stability.

“He’s a ripper bloke,” he said.

“(To have) that reassurance for the next couple of years is awesome.

“This club means the world to me.”

Originally published as Teenage Drysdale defender Luke Preece recovers from 18 months on the sidelines to star for the Hawks