More success for Smith and Duryea

By Brendan Day

Smith, who collected 18 disposals and a spectacular 55-metre goal in the Hawks’ Grand Final victory over Fremantle, was recognised as the club’s Most Promising Player.

A Cootamundra junior, he played 24 games as part of the Hawks’ midfield and averaged 20 disposals per game. 

Duryea, a 2009 draft selection for the Hawks and former representative with the NSW/ACT Under-18s RAMS, was rewarded for his strong work in the defence with the club’s Best First-Year Player award.

Initially viewed as a forward pocket, he struggled to gain form for Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate Box Hill in this designated role.

“I played some pretty poor footy up forward, and I couldn’t get out of the rut,” Duryea said in an interview with afl.com.au.

“I was over-thinking and worrying about the consequences too much.

“I was missing some easy goals because I was getting so worried, and it just wasn’t coming naturally to me.”

In the middle of the 2011 season, Duryea moved to the defence and, with his form vastly improved, waited patiently for a chance at the Hawks’ senior side.

He made his debut this year after Matt Suckling, a Wagga product, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 2013 NAB Cup. Duryea quickly became a regular in the team and played 18 games for the season.

Temora’s Luke Breust capped off a strong showing from Hawthorn’s NSW contingent by placing ninth in the race for the Peter Crimmins Medal, awarded to the club’s best and fairest player.

Breust, who kicked 40 goals for the season, polled 116 votes in trailing eventual winner Josh Gibson.