World Footy News

HAWTHORN upgraded Shem Tatupu and Kurt Heatherley to their full rookie list. Now it will only take consistent form and a long term injury (to a current Hawthorn player so they can be elevated onto the senior list for either of the boys to make their AFL debut.

Tatupu has only played about 20 games of Australian Rules, and spent the year finishing school in Auckland, but at the age of 17 he has convinced the Hawks he can make it at AFL level. The 196cm, 102kg key forward was one of two New Zealand international scholarship holders welcomed on to the club’s playing squad when he and athletic 193cm defender Kurt Heatherley were taken in the AFL rookie draft.

Tatupu has altready represented New Zealand at senior level, playing for the New Zealand Hawks against the AIS AFL Academy in early 2013. Recruiting chief Graham Wright first spotted Tatupu as a 14-year-old, noting his unique mix of speed, height and power, that made him a weapon on the rugby league field. ”He has played rugby all the way through, so he tackles well and he is pretty aggressive,” Wright said. “And as you can imagine with a young lad that size, there is plenty of power behind those tackles.”

Those are the skills he has from his upbringing but pleasingly Tatupu has continued to improve his football skills – improving his kicking and marking – which has fuelled Hawthorn’s confidence its international investment will pay off.

“He kicks the ball really well, on both feet, and he has a pretty good technique,” Wright said. “He certainly hasn’t had a problem transferring in that side of the game, and that is probably the hardest part. “It’s more the game sense that he needs to work on. “But he is not even 18 yet, so we will give him plenty of time and hopefully over the next two or three years he will come on.”

Tatupu has played the occasional game for Oakleigh in the TAC Cup, relishing the challenge. Heatherley is a quick and agile rebounding defender who was thought to be a top-20 draft pick, had the Hawks not already taken him off the free market five years ago. He has spent considerable time playing for Caulfield Grammar.

For more:- http://aflnz.co.nz/tatupu-and-heatherley-flying-high-with-the-hawks

Interview on Radio Australia:- http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/ra/MOD/RA_Podcast/PAB_PACAFL_20131202.mp3