By JARROD POTTER
OVER 200 weekends had passed since Ben Ross last played in the AFL.
Ross, 25, originally from Bunyip, last strode onto an AFL field in Round 2, 2010 – on an early April Saturday night where he last donned the North Melbourne colours.
His next foray in the AFL would take four years of serious commitment to earn a second chance, but finally Ross was able to don vertical stripes again in the world’s best competition.
A Hawthorn debut came for Ross on Friday night – his 15th AFL match – and it stood as testament to his hard work.
In those four years he played for Victoria in a state league match against Western Australia, won a J.J. Liston Trophy with former VFL team Werribee, and most importantly, he improved as a football leader.
“With my story I guess it’s just trying to play football at the highest level that you can,” Ross said. “Just work on what it is that you felt you had to work on.
“I went back to Werribee and really focused on growing my leadership skills and that brought out the best in my football.
“But it’s a matter of sticking at it – especially nowadays with guys getting their first opportunities at 25 and then second opportunity at any age.”
He was presented his jumper – number 21 worn previously by Hawthorn captain Richard Vandenberg – by team mate Brad Sewell and relished running out onto the MCG.
Ross started as the substitute in the clash against Carlton and had to wait until the second half to make an impact as he kicked a goal early in the fourth-quarter to help break the Blues apart as Hawthorn claimed a 28-point win.
Whether he plays the rest of the AFL season or only a couple more matches isn’t a sticking point for Ross – he just wants to contribute to the club that revived his football career.
“We’re a very strong list here and pushing towards finals so if I can play any part in the team and get a few more games that would be great,” Ross said, “if not I’ll just continue to develop and learn the Hawthorn way at Box Hill if that’s what it needs to be, but I want to contribute at any level I play at.”
Hawthorn faces Collingwood on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.
