Box Hill keen to give Tuck a chance Brent Diamond
January 28, 2011
Travis Tuck will play for the Box Hill Hawks if he doesn't win a spot on Hawthorn's rookie list.
HAWTHORN'S VFL affiliate, the Box Hill Hawks, will provide troubled midfielder Travis Tuck with a lifeline if he isn't successful in securing a final rookie-list spot next month.
Either way, new Box Hill coach Damian Carroll will become a mentor to Tuck given the son of Hawks legend Michael would have to force his way back through the VFL ranks from round eight after being banned for 12 matches last August.
Tuck was the first player to record three strikes under the AFL's illicit drugs policy and his VFL suspension was downgraded because he was being treated for clinical depression.
"I haven't spoken to Tucky about that [being on Box Hill's list] because obviously his plan is to make Hawthorn's list but I would have a chat to him if the case eventuated," Carroll said. "But our focus is to try and get him to perform well over the next month and put his case forward."
Tuck is contesting for a final rookie-list spot along with former Demon and Eagle ruckman Paul Johnson and former West Adelaide player Nathan Ahmat-Watkins.
Under new AFL rules, Hawthorn doesn't have to make a decision on the final rookie spot until the end of the NAB Cup and could be swayed by injuries.
Box Hill is the back-up plan for Tuck.
"I think from what I've seen, his training and work ethic and preparation has been really impressive so I'll be working with him but I won't have to put any extra time into him more than anyone else you'd think," Carroll said.
He will also look to resurrect the career of delisted Hawks midfielder Beau Muston at Box Hill this season after the No. 22 selection in the 2005 draft fell out of favour at Hawthorn last year.
Muston joins former Tiger and Saint Adam Pattison as the top recruits at Box Hill.
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