Days after joining an exclusive club of AFL goalkicking greats, a Hawthorn star has offered insight into why he rejected rival clubs.
The AFL is launching an investigation into Hawthorn’s handling of its racism review after the process significantly affected key figures on all sides. The league was contacted last week with the investigation to be led by AFL legal counsel Stephen Meade.
Breust said the Hawks had a host of B-grade players who needed to become fully fledged A-graders for the developing side to take the next step.
The 32-year-old said he was really enjoying the Hawks’ season despite several heavy losses and was happy with his decision to knock back rival interest and remain a one-club player.
Breust notched his 500th career goal as he piled on five majors against Port Adelaide on Saturday, becoming the 63rd AFL player to reach the milestone and one of only a select group of small forwards.
He said extending his contract until 2024 at the end of last season was a repayment of the Hawks’ faith in him after he slowly made his start at the club with three consecutive one-year deals after being selected in the 2009 rookie draft.
“It’s huge, that’s been a major focus of my career … this club put so much faith in me as a youngster, three one-year contracts when they could have very easily let me slide,” he said.
“To repay the faith and remain a one-club player has been a huge part of the decisions (regarding) other clubs and trade weeks.”
Hawthorn goalsneak Luke Breust says repaying the club’s faith in him was the driving influence behind his loyalty in the twilight of his career. Picture: Sarah Reed / Getty Images
Breust said the young Hawks were showing positive signs and were only about a season away from becoming a force in the competition once again.
“I’m really enjoying this year … I think the growth that we’ve already had this season has been significant,” he said.
“If you fast forward another 20-odd games, 30 games with these guys and I think you’ll start to see some serious players in the competition.
“That’s what we need, we need guys to elevate themselves and go from being B-graders to A-graders and take this club where we need to go.”
Breust said he was still enjoying football and hinted he would be open to playing on beyond his current contract.
“I said the day that I start calling this work is when I’ll probably need to give it away, and I’ve never thought of driving to Waverley as work,” he said.
“Until that happens, then I’ll be here and doing our best.
“You see Jarman (Impey) or someone who’s trying to get the group up and about, you see their smile, you see young guys coming through trying to get better, that’s what drives you every day.”
The significance of his 500-goal milestone was slowly washing over him, he said.
“When you do get tagged on social media in certain posts … when you see the names that are above me on the list, you sort of pinch yourself a little bit, and go, ‘I don’t sit comfortably anywhere near them’, but I’m sure down the track I’ll reflect on it and enjoy the milestone then,” Breust said.