VFL 2019: Former West Perth gun Luke Meadows a chance to replace injured Hawthorn midfielder Tom Mitchell

A Box Hill Hawks recruit could be in line to replace reigning Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell on Hawthorn’s list under the AFL’s pre-season supplementary rules.

Luke Meadows in action for West Perth. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

A Box Hill Hawks recruit and former West Perth star is in the frame to replace reigning Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell on Hawthorn’s list under the AFL’s pre-season supplementary rules.

Luke Meadows enjoyed a career-best season in the WAFL last year and was considered unlucky to be overlooked in last year’s national and rookie drafts.

The 24-year-old averaged 25 disposals and five tackles in 22 matches in 2018, finishing in the top-10 in the Sandover Medal, and has played 90 games in the Western Australian state league.

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The West Australian reported Meadows could replace Mitchell on the Hawks’ list under the news rules that allow AFL clubs to recruit rookies to replace retired or injured players.

Meadows signed with Box Hill last year in a bid to continue to push his AFL draft claims.

Mitchell will miss this season after breaking his leg in a training mishap last month.

Tom Mitchell will miss the 2019 season. Picture: Julian Smith/AAP

Hawthorn has until March 15 to name a replacement player.

Carlton last week handed an opportunity to two-time Liston Medal winner Michael Gibbons and Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Matthew Cottrell.

Box Hill coach Max Bailey said he was hopeful Meadows would be looked at.

“From what I hear and everything I had heard of him, it seems that way (unlucky not to be drafted) and everything I’ve seen at training says to me he could make it,” Bailey said.

“It’s like a Michael Gibbons or David Mirra sort of thing, you just need someone in your corner to take a punt and as with David Mirra with us, I’m sure Michael Gibbons will be the same, you just take off from there.”

Bailey said Meadows had proved his determination to earn an AFL opportunity.

“He’s very driven … he wants to get onto a list and being under the nose of a few more recruiters can’t hurt,” he said.

Luke Meadows is tackled by Sharrod Wellingham. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Meadows has a connection with Bailey through West Perth, where the new Box Hill coach was drafted from in 2005.

“I played at West Perth in my younger days, which is where Luke has come from, so I know a couple of guys who he played with and played in the grand final with last season at West Perth,” he said.

“They’re good mates of mine and when we heard he was potentially looking at coming over to Victoria, I got in touch with a couple of my mates and they all spoke really highly of the guy.

“He’s made a pretty big commitment to live over in Melbourne and try improve his footy and it’s a big change moving away from his family and all that he’s known.”

Should be not be added to Hawthorn’s list, Meadows will play an important role in Box Hill’s midfield in 2019.

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