GWS Giants’ forward Jesse Hogan finally gets his preliminary final moment
Jesse Hogan had to watch his former Melbourne teammates win a flag, but they will be watching him on Friday night as he hits a prelim in career-best form.
Jesse Hogan was sitting in Optus Stadium in 2021 as his former Melbourne teammates won a breakthrough premiership.
At that moment, no one would have blamed him for feeling jealous. He had left the Dees for other opportunities and they had gone on to the ultimate glory without him.
But after 10 years in the AFL system, Hogan will play in his first preliminary final on Friday night against Collingwood.
And there’s no one who can take that unbridled joy away from him.
“I left the Dees and then they went on to win it all,” Hogan said.
“It was a bittersweet moment, I’m still close to a lot of the boys.
“I haven’t had a lot of finals experience, I’ve always been at home watching, which has been a bit painful.
“So to be potentially, well not potentially, it’s reality, playing in front of 90,000-plus people, that’s a surreal feeling, to be honest.”
Hogan was integral to the Giants’ win against Port Adelaide on Saturday.
He kicked four goals, had 10 score involvements, 17 disposals and nine marks in a dominant key forward display.
It was a complete reversal of the Giants’ loss at the venue in round 21 as their midfield set the tone from the first bounce.
That game also stuck in the memory for Hogan, who had plenty of friends and family to play for in the Adelaide Oval stands.
“My father was a South Australian lad so I had about 15 cousins and uncles here,” Hogan said.
“I was here five weeks ago and didn’t touch it. So to be able to get on the end of a few tonight was nice.
“Our midfield at halftime was up by 16 clearances. It is an astounding number. So when your mids get it done on the inside … it makes our job a little bit easier.”
Hogan’s display drew praise from coach Adam Kingsley, who has worked extensively with the 28-year-old to find the right balance in his game.
His talent has never been in question, but the temperament he has shown in 2023 shows he is determined to take his game to the next level.
“His ability to come to the ball or get out the back, and to win it in the contest, was really important for us,” Kingsley said.
“He’s just a pleasure to coach. He’s quite experienced in terms of years played in the game, but he’s still grown and learning.
“He’s getting better and he embraces that too, which is great.”
His haul on Saturday took him to 48 goals for the year, the most he has ever kicked in a season.
After so many injuries throughout his footy journey, Hogan has entered his prime and found the perfect role in the firing Giants’ forward line.
And there won’t be one person unhappy to see him finally get his moment on the biggest stage at the MCG this Friday.
“This last 24 months has been the most continuity I’ve had week to week, even just training-wise,” Hogan said. “I’ve been able to just train, gel and work on my craft.
“This time last year, as a team and a forward group, we didn’t have much continuity … but we’ve got the same six or seven players every week. Once you get that chemistry, it’s great.
“Now it’s a prelim final. Unfortunately, we won’t be playing against the Dees because they got knocked out, but it’s exciting to be playing those games.
“They’re going to have to watch me this time.”
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