VFL 2019: Ex-AFL rookies Liam Mackie and Nathan Mullenger-McHugh impressing at Box Hill Hawks
Incoming Box Hill Hawks coach Max Bailey has tipped former Collingwood rookie Liam Mackie to be one of the club’s big improvers in 2019.
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Incoming Box Hill Hawks coach Max Bailey has tipped former Collingwood rookie Liam Mackie to be one of the club’s big improvers in 2019.
Mackie was drafted to Collingwood as a rookie from Glenelg in 2016 but was cut after just one season.
The 20-year-old played seven games in the VFL last year and has caught Bailey’s eye this pre-season.
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“He’s been really, really impressive this year so I imagine he will be one of our leaders,” Bailey said.
“He has just taken a big, big step with the way he’s training and the way he’s approaching everything.
“For me, as a first-year coach, I’m still figuring out what I’m doing and he’s been a big help for me.”
Mackie is the cousin of Geelong triple premiership player Andrew Mackie and was recruited by Collingwood after being crowned best on ground for Sacred Heart in the South Australian State School competition.
The half-back flanker boasts a penetrating kick, a cool head under pressure, excellent decision making skills and can win the ball in one-on-one contests against both tall and small opposition forwards.
Bailey said Mackie could provide a tall option in defence while also providing bounce out of the backline.
“His fitness stuff has really gone to another level, which is hard for these guys when they are working full-time and then trying to train at a high level,” he said.
“He seems to be able to rock up everyday and deliver pretty well.”
Former Western Bulldogs rookie Nathan Mullenger-McHugh has been another to impress after being delisted last year.
The versatile swingman did not play a senior game in his two seasons at Whitten Oval and made 37 appearances for Footscray in the state league competition.
“He’s a 21-year-old tall fella and still filling out, finding his way, but he is super competitive, which is a great thing,” Bailey said.
“I didn’t know much about Nathan until he came to us … looking at him now, he’s got AFL attributes and he may be one of those guys who gets back into the system if he keeps going the way he is.
“He’s got a great desire for it and he came to us because he still had that drive and hunger to get back onto a list.”
Shepparton United product Jesse Cucinotta is another who appears well-placed to take another step in this year.
Cucinotta spent his first season on Box Hill’s list last year and played 10 games with aligned club Heidelberg in the Northern Football League.
“He was finding his way living in Melbourne after coming from the country but he has been really impressive,” Bailey said.
“He puts in a lot of time and effort and you can see he’s very devoted to trying to get better and he’s another one that has really stood out.”
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