HAWTHORN'S ruckmen are playing for their finals spots with the knowledge that one bad week could be all it takes to slip out of the team, according to Jonathon Ceglar.
With Ben McEvoy dropped ahead of Saturday night's win over Geelong, Ceglar took his chance and stamped himself as a genuine No.1 ruck option in September with an influential second half.
The 23-year-old, who has played 11 games this season, led the ruck with support from David Hale to finish with 23 hit-outs and an important goal in the final term.
After three weeks in the VFL, the former rookie earned his chance when a strong performance with Box Hill coincided with McEvoy's output dropping against Fremantle in round 21.
He said he was motivated by the competition in the ruck with just one match to play before finals, and his solid performance couldn't have come at a better time.
"Personally it was massive," he told AFL.com.au.
"There's three of us vying for two spots and if one of us isn't in good form – as I found three weeks ago – you're back to the VFL pretty quickly.
"It's a good problem to have for the coaches and it keeps us on our toes because you know one quiet week and you're out.
"It's just black and white."
Ceglar's athleticism stood out on a number of occasions on Friday night, running to provide an option for his teammates, and pushing forward to mark and convert a set shot at a crucial point of the fourth quarter.
He said his inability to hit the scoreboard against the Sydney Swans back in round 18 – his last AFL game – is likely what cost him his spot.
"If you're not performing forward then that's the key, because we're all quite competent ruckmen," he said.
"The forward role is probably the one that makes or breaks the deal really."
Coach Alastair Clarkson kept his ruckmen on their toes post-match, refusing to endorse anyone as his No.1 big man ahead of September.
He highlighted McEvoy's impressive two-goal performance for Box Hill on Saturday, and said Luke Lowden, who has played one senior game, was another option for the Hawks.
"We'll just wait and see how that pans out, we've got four ruckmen who we think can all make solid contributions for us at senior level," Clarkson said.
"We'll keep mixing it about. Sometimes it'll depend on form and sometimes it'll depend on match ups.
"McEvoy was terrific today for Box Hill and we're really pleased with the way he approached that game.
"It's tough getting omitted, but he's got great character that lad … we'll just wait and see how it all unfolds next week."
