SOME good news came out of Hawthorn's shattering two-point qualifying final loss with Brendan Whitecross hitting a games-based trigger against Geelong on Friday night that will see him play on at Waverley in 2017.
Whitecross' career at Hawthorn reached a significant crossroad at the end of last season, when he attracted interest from Greater Western Sydney and the Brisbane Lions and remained out of contract when the free agency and trade periods closed.
However, the utility ultimately re-signed with the Hawks in late October on a one-year deal that ensured he would be an unrestricted free agent for a second consecutive season.
AFL.com.au understands that contract contained a clause guaranteeing Whitecross an extra season if he played eight games in 2016.
The Queenslander satisfied that trigger when he ran out against the Cats on Friday night, finishing the game with 22 possessions and eight marks to be one of the Hawks' best players.
Just two months ago, Whitecross looked on the outer at Hawthorn, having been stuck in the VFL for the entire season.
But the 26-year-old finally earned a recall in round 17 against the Sydney Swans and has not looked back since.
Spending some time in a new role across half-back, Whitecross has fitted seamlessly back into the Hawks' best 22 and played eight consecutive games.
Recruited from Zillmere in Queensland with pick No.29 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, Whitecross had been a regular senior player for three seasons when he ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament in the Hawks' 2012 qualifying final win over Collingwood.
He ruptured the same ACL a year later when he lunged to lay a tackle in the pulsating preliminary final victory against Geelong.
As the Hawks pushed for back-to-back premierships in 2014, he was stuck on the sidelines as his recovery took longer than expected, while last season he managed only four senior games early in the year.
The highly respected clubman has played 96 senior games but has missed all four premierships the Hawks have won in his time at the club.
