Living a dream

By Matt Malone
Updated November 7 2012 - 2:49pm, first published May 13 2011 - 11:35pm

TEMORA footballer Luke Breust will live out his childhood dream tomorrow when he runs on to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to make his AFL debut.Breust was last night confirmed as a certain starter in Hawthorn's team for tomorrow's AFL blockbuster against St Kilda at the MCG.The 20-year-old Temora product has spent the past two seasons on the Hawks' rookie list and has now impressed Hawthorn officials enough to win himself senior selection.The inclusion of Breust adds even more Riverina flavour to the contest as he joins Wagga's Matt Suckling and Cootamundra's Isaac Smith in the Hawthorn team, against Osborne's Adam Schneider and Brocklesby's Justin Koschitzke at St Kilda.Breust yesterday revealed it was a dream come true."I can't wait, it's very exciting," Breust said. "It's been a long time coming. A two-and-a-half-year apprenticeship pretty much."Finally I get my chance, and in a big game on a Sunday at the G."Hawthorn's general manager football operations Mark Evans said the decision to promote Breust came after impressive performances at the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL."(Luke) Breust got close to senior selection on a number of occasions last year, but over the last few months at VFL level he's been super impressive and certainly earned his call-up to the senior side," Evans said yesterday."He's worked hard at his game over the three-year period."He's mostly played forward but can also run through the midfield and has on occasion been deployed in defence."Breust, a cousin of former NRL star Trent Barrett, will become the first footballer from Temora to play at AFL level.He was picked up by Hawthorn with selection 47 in the AFL rookie draft in December 2008.During that time, Breust has bulked up significantly and has regularly been used in pre-season games by Hawthorn.He has also impressed greatly as a livewire small forward for Hawthorn's VFL affiliate Box Hill.Breust's parents Allan and Denise will travel to Melbourne for the game, while older brother Mark and sister Rebecca will also be closely watching on.Wagga's Suckling returns to the Hawks' line-up for tomorrow's contest after missing last weekend's win over Port Adelaide with a knee injury.Suckling is enjoying a career-best season for the Hawks.Cootamundra's Smith made his debut for Hawthorn last week after being drafted as a mature-age recruit late last year. The 22-year-old enjoyed 21 possessions and a goal against the Power, including a game-high six inside 50s.

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