ON SATURDAY night Hawthorn will blood its seventh league debutant of the season with Alex Woodward to play against the Swans at the MCG.

It has been a long time coming for the 21 year old youngster who has already endured two knee reconstructions since being drafted by Hawthorn in 2011.

In his first year at the Club, Woodward lasted only five minutes in his first NAB Cup game – against Western Bulldogs in Tasmania – before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

A year later, he suffered the same injury during a pre-season training session in January.

It’s fair to say his debut, which comes 18 weeks into season 2014 is a long time coming.

Taken with the 53rd overall pick in the national draft, Woodward is known best as an in and under midfielder who is a clearance specialist.

He has been knocking down the door for his opportunity for weeks with consistent and impressive performances week in, week out for Box Hill in the VFL.

Woodward pressed his claim for a senior debut in Box Hill’s last game before the bye, in the upset win over Footscray with 26 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances.

One of his best games came in the Foxtel Cup in May, when he was best on ground for Box Hill in their loss to West Perth at Etihad Stadium.

In that game, Woodward had a game-high 29 disposals in the loss, before backing up that effort with another 20-plus possession game against Richmond’s VFL team.

He then had one of his best games for the year against Port Melbourne with a team-high seven clearances and 26 disposals.

Woodward will wear number 39 on Saturday night after being handed the guernsey by retired premiership ruckman Max Bailey at the end of last year.

The midfielder joins Derick Wanganeen, Tim O’Brien, Angus Litherland, Mitch Hallahan, Billy Hartung and Luke Lowden in playing their first senior game in 2014.