• 10 things we learned from Thursday night's draft
• Draft wrap: Saint Paddy's day and the Cats go for the X-factor
DEFENDING premiers Hawthorn did not expect to walk away from the draft with a ruckman in the back pocket but when it saw Marc Pittonet available at pick No.50, the Hawks pounced.
Having lost Luke Lowden to Adelaide during the trade period, they expected to replenish their ruck stocks through the rookie draft where they are likely to re-draft Sam Grimley.
But vision of Pittonet – probably the most obvious ruckman in the draft – had impressed Hawthorn ruck coach Damian Monkhorst. He liked his competitiveness and his follow-up work and his size.
It was enough to convince recruiting manager Graham Wright that he was a good selection at pick No.50.
"He is a good tap ruckman who follows up and competes hard on the ground," Wright told AFL.com.au.
Although his beep test results showed he needs to work on his endurance, Wright said that Pittonet's size suggested he could be called upon in an emergency if injuries struck big men Ben McEvoy, David Hale or Jonathon Ceglar.
"We really like Marc and his ruck work," Wright said.
Wright said the club continued down the path of drafting good kicks with the character to work hard.
He said Daniel Howe, Teia Miles and Pittonet fitted that bill.
"It wasn't exactly a type of player we were after," Wright said. "We wanted kids who would work hard and potentially push up."
Click here to view the Hawks' draft haul and watch highlights of every player on the 2014 NAB AFL draft tracker
Selection No.31 – Daniel Howe
Graham Wright says: "The Yarrawonga-raised Howe boarded at Xavier College and represented Vic Country in 2014. A good kick, we're hopeful that in time he can push into the midfield. He has great courage and good awareness of what is around him. A quiet kid, we think he'll suit our group by coming in and working hard."
Selection No.49 – Teia Miles
Graham Wright says: "The son of former Geelong, Collingwood and West Coast defender Geoff and cousin of Carlton's Dylan Buckley, Miles won the Geelong Falcons best and fairest. He can play as a small defender or forward and competes hard. He will take time but he has plenty of upside."
Selection No.50 – Marc Pittonet
Graham Wright says: "A young ruckman. He has a basketball background but he is 106 kilograms and 202 centimetres so at a pinch if we had injuries he might play senior football. He has a bit of work to do but he is a good tap ruckman."
The fans' verdict
