HAWTHORN defender Ryan Schoenmakers made a successful return to football from a knee reconstruction on Saturday in Box Hill’s 25-point win over Werribee.

Playing predominantly in defence with a stint up forward in the last term, Schoenmakers impressed in his first hit out since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in Round 4 last season.

The 23-year-old moved well, held his own in the physical, one-on-one duels and even pushed forward to kick a goal to seal victory for the Hawks.

Head of Development Academy and last year’s Box Hill premiership coach Damian Caroll said the 23-year-old’s performance was positive.

“He got through well,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“It was really good to see him out there, he’s been through an extensive rehab period and has been ready to play for a few weeks now.

“To come out and play 80-85 minutes in his first game and contribute to a win was really pleasing. It was a really good effort from him first up.

“Marco (Bello) as coach and the Hawthorn crew who watched him were really happy he was able to achieve the minutes we wanted and from a performance point of view, he did his job.

“Now, he’ll be looking to build on that over the next couple of weeks.

Caroll was equally pleased with the return of premiership defender Ben Stratton from a hamstring injury.

Playing in his usual role across half back, Stratton finished the game as one of Box Hill’s best with 13 disposals, six marks and five tackles.

“He performed really well and played half back like he usually does and was a good leader for the younger players was terrific,” he said.

Caroll was equally excited by the performance of young ruckman, Luke Lowden.

Yet to make his AFL debut, Lowden was among Box Hill’s best playing as the number one ruckman in the absence of Jonathon Ceglar who was a late inclusion for the injured Ben McEvoy in the Hawthorn side.

Lowden had 20 disposals, 31 hit outs, seven marks and kicked a goal.

Caroll said the 204cm ruckman is ready to play at AFL level, it’s now just a matter of getting an opportunity.

“He’s looking a lot stronger, his ruck work has come on and physically, he’s imposing himself on the game a lot more,” Caroll said.

“He’s improving as a player and we think he’s ready to play when the opportunity arises, it’s just a matter of getting that opportunity because there are some guys playing good AFL football in his position.

“He copped a pretty hard knock and looked like he might not be able to go back on the ground with an eye but was able to finish the match and not only that, finish it strongly and be really valuable for us.

“He finished with 19 possessions, took a lot of marks and spoils, which was really important for us late in the game. It was good to see him build on a good pre-season.”

Final score
BOX HILL 5.3 7.5 10.8 12.11 (83)
WERRIBEE 1.5 3.6 6.14 7.16 (58)

GOALS
Box Hill: Grimley 3, Kennedy 2, Lowden, Lock, Iles, Schoenmakers, Hallahan, Webster, Murphy.
Werribee: Wood, Sherlock, Porter, Daw, Bolton, Harper, Sodomaco