GWS spearhead Jesse Hogan couldn’t help but feel nervous as his AFL finals drought stretched closer to triple figures, but the lengthy wait has made the moment all the more sweeter.
It’s taken Hogan 98 games, seven seasons and three AFL clubs to get there, but the 26-year-old will finally get a taste of finals action when he lines up against Sydney in Launceston on Saturday.
Hogan started his career with Melbourne and would have played finals in 2018 if it wasn’t for a serious foot injury he suffered in round 21.
He spent two unsuccessful seasons on Fremantle’s list in 2019 and 2020 before moving to GWS at the end of last year.
The Giants won four of their final five games to secure a finals berth, with Hogan overcoming some early injuries to play a key role at the back-end of the season.
“It was getting a bit nerve-wracking,” Hogan told AAP about his long wait for finals action.
“I was starting to get towards 100 and still hadn’t been at the pointy end. It’s nice to finally get there. It makes it all the more sweeter I think.”
Hogan has struggled with the spotlight throughout his career and the fishbowl AFL environment in Perth only heightened his battle with anxiety.
But moving to the Giants has been a breath of fresh air with Hogan able to wander the streets without fear of being recognised by every second person.
“I only got recognised once when I first moved over,” Hogan said.
“I was at a cafe and there was a Fremantle supporter of all people who recognised me. But apart from that it’s a different world than the fishbowl of WA.
“In NSW, I never get recognised. That’s one of the things when I spoke to Stephen Coniglio and Lachie Whitfield when I first went over.
“They said, ‘mate, no one will recognise you, no one really follows footy, it will be a whole new world for you’. So that’s been a really good thing for me.”
NSW’s COVID-19 explosion meant both the Swans and Giants have been on the road since June 22.
Before that, Hogan was living with Giants ruckman Shane Mumford and his young family.
“He’s really close to the beach and there’s always waves,” said Hogan, who earlier this week signed a one-year extension with the Giants.
“So to be able to get down to surf after training and on days off has been massive for me.”
Hogan looms as a key factor in the Giants’ bid to go deep in the finals series.
The 195cm forward has booted 18 goals in eight games this season, which has included two bags of four goals.
AAP
