New Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy on Alastair Clarkson’s inspiration ride, how Hawks can surprise critics

Not many experts are tipping Hawthorn to challenge for the eight in 2021, but new skipper Ben McEvoy has other plans.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson rides from Omeo to Buchan in support of bushfire relief awareness after last year’s devastating fires in the area. Picture: Michael Klein

Alastair Clarkson’s 330km trek from Corryong to Buchan in support of the bushfire ravaged region has provided the young Hawks with a good example of resilience heading into the 2021 season, according to new skipper Ben McEvoy.

McEvoy was there to see Clarkson finish at Buchan last Monday, and he was left in awe of the 52-year-old’s strong will and determination.

The four-time premiership coach and the Hawks players returned to the East Gippsland town last Monday to stay for a night, about a year after being a part of the recovery efforts.

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Clarkson made the trek on a bike, but the track was so tough that he had to walk at stages.

“Clarko has always been amazing in leading from the front and setting the example,” McEvoy told the Herald Sun.

“It’s not a very good track. There were a couple of spots where he couldn’t even ride … he had to get off and push the bike because it was too slippery.

“We met him down at Buchan and he was pretty exhausted. It was good to go down there and put a full stop to our pre-season, and also to reconnect with the community.”

The Hawks are coming off statistically their worst season since Clarkson took over as coach in late 2004, finishing 15th in 2020 after a tough season in the AFL hub.

But the pre-season form of a host of fresh faces and two ready-made recruits convinced McEvoy his team can be one of the AFL’s 2021 surprise packets.

“We are hoping so,” he said when asked if the Hawks could shock a few critics in 2021.

“We have been really excited about what our young guys have done over the summer.”

Jacob Koschitzke is one Hawks youngster primed to take a big step forward in 2021.

Just as Clarkson has set the example for the young Hawks, the appointment of McEvoy as the new skipper has done the same for the young group.

The 31-year-old big man was genuinely surprised when elevated to the role after yet another consistent individual season last year and excelling in the pre-season auditions involving Leading Teams.

His leadership is as much about deeds as words, though when he speaks within the group, the players listen.

“It sits a little awkwardly,” McEvoy said of the honour. “I can’t say enough how privileged and humbled I am with it.

“I am super excited about the challenge and the opportunity.”

Then he added with a smile: “Give it a month or six weeks, and if we are getting belted by 10 goals, I might have to give it back.”

That won’t happen, as the Hawks recognise in McEvoy the right qualities to provide a steady hand as the club undergoes more transition in terms of its playing list.

It’s a role that he has trained for almost all of his life, and his leadership was evident as far back as when he was a young ruckman trying to make his way in a talented St Kilda side.

“I feel like I am in a really good spot,” he said. “I have got some really good perspective to be able to handle it (the captaincy) and I’ve got a good team of guys around me as well.”

New Hawthorn skipper Ben McEvoy. Picture: Michael Klein

McEvoy spent most of last season playing in defence, and is keeping the door ajar as to his role this year.

“I’m open minded (about whether he plays ruck or defence) and I know Clarko is too,” he said.

He is hopeful 2021 can be a more level season after the COVID chaos of 2020.

He and his wife Nicky had their three children Angus, Moira and Clancy in a hub environment for most of the season.

He won’t forget the day of Clancy’s birth early last year – he was born on the same day that Australia recorded its first COVID-19 case.

The interruption of the AFL season last March meant that McEvoy got the chance to spend some extra time with his family, and they were able to spend part of the first lockdown on the family’s farm, near Stawell.

“It was an interesting year to say the least,“ he said.

“We actually spent six months on the farm last year … we only spent three months in Melbourne.

“Three kids under four in the hub was interesting … My wife did an amazing job.

“But it was a tough year for everyone, not just us.

“Hopefully this year will be more straightforward, so it’s onwards and upwards.”

McEvoy is hoping that relates to the Hawks too as they look to start their own trek up the ladder again.

RAZED TOWN HAS CLARKO BURNING INSIDE

- Marc McGowan

Alastair Clarkson has followed through on his pledge not to forget about bushfire-ravaged Buchan.

Hawthorn’s four-time premiership coach and his footballers returned to the East Gippsland ton on Monday afternoon to stay for a night, about a year after being part of the recovery efforts.

Clarkson, his wife Caryn and two of their children made the roughly 330km trek — by bike and feet — from Corryong to Buchan to help raise awareness for the town’s post-bushfire plight.

Clarkson has been rocked by the fact that some of those affected by the fires are still living in temporary accommodation. Picture: Michael Klein

Hawks captain Ben McEvoy’s father, John, also joined them for part of the ride.

The vast majority of the impacted community is either still living in temporary accommodation or has left for good.

That accommodation ranges from caravans to ‘dongas’ and machinery sheds, while some plan to sell their block and move on.

Clarkson is hoping the Hawks can get things started in the devastated area. Picture: Michael Klein

“I went back to Buchan just before Christmas and couldn’t believe how many were still living in temporary accommodation — and the same with Corryong,” Clarkson told the Herald Sun.

“They’ve suffered enough already, having to go through the trauma of the actual fire itself, but to then not be able to get back to as close to normal as possible, as soon as possible, has been really hard.

Clarkson hits the road with his daughter Stephanie as they make their way out of Omeo in the East Gippsland region. Picture: Michael Klein

“There’s only one house that’s close to being rebuilt and we’re now 14-15 months on from the fire. We’re better as a nation than that, so let’s rally and get things moving for them.”

The AFL’s COVID-19 restrictions mean Clarkson and the rest of the Hawthorn crew can’t properly engage with the Buchan community, so he said they would “appear to be snobs”.

“We still want to go and put some money into businesses there, so we’ll have a feed at the pub and spend some money on petrol in the district,” he said.

Hawthorn’s four-time premiership coach is determined to get things rolling in the region. Picture: Michael Klein

“But we’re pretty much just putting a full stop on our pre-season and getting ourselves set for Essendon in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Buchan firefighter Scott Cummings, not the ex-AFL footballer, is one of many across the community whose property was devastated by the bushfires.

Cummings is not only grateful for the Hawks making the trip to Buchan again, but also everything they did a year ago.

“Having Clarko around town gives everyone a buzz,” Cummings said.

Clarkson, his wife Caryn and two of their children made the 330km trek — by bike and feet — from Corryong to Buchan. Picture: Michael Klein

“The players were great last year. Some of the fences they pulled down — it would’ve been well over a week’s work, but they did it in a day or two.

“We also took them out bush to see some of the devastation and some of that was a fair eye-opener for them.”

Another Buchan resident, Warren McCole, whose parents Margie and Jeff lost their home, said Hawthorn’s visit gave “the whole town a morale boost”.

Clarkson cools down on a humid day while eating up the kilometres on his way to Buchan.