I have more to offer: Osborne
Michael Osborne believes he still has lots to offer Hawthorn in 2013, despite coming off a serious knee injury.
Osborne ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Round 7 of the 2012 season, sidelining him for the remainder of Hawthorn’s season.
Youngsters Luke Breust and Brendan Whitecross in particular stepped up in his absence, with the former finishing fourth in the Club’s best and fairest, the Peter Crimmins Medal.
But the 30 year old doesn’t see the impressive youngsters as a threat, instead motivated by the challenge of illustrating he can still be a valuable contributor for the Hawks in 2013.
“I think I’ve still got some value there for the team,” Osborne said on day two of the Club’s pre-season camp.
“It’s a good thing there’s young guys in there putting the pressure on, it keeps us older guys on our toes and keep striving to perform and produce some good footy for the team as well.
“I enjoy the challenge and beating the young guys coming through in the fitness tests and training - it’s something that really motivates me.”
Despite injuring his knee in May, Osborne is yet to resume full training, but has ramped up his load in recent weeks.
He has begun testing his knee and hopes to resume full training with the squad in the new year.
“The knee is coming along really well,” Osborne said.
“I’ve been running for the last few weeks and been doing some introductions of skills and jumping and the knee has been taking the loads really well.
“I’ll do a bit more while we’re up here, join in with the boys for skills training and do a bit more on my own over Christmas.
“Hopefully I’ll be in full training with everyone and the rest of the team after the new year.”
When he does make a return to senior football next season, the veteran envisages resuming a role familiar to him, in the forward line crumbing off spearheads Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.
But he admits he’s just happy to take any role in the side.
“Probably a similar role to the last few years, playing in the forward line and pushing up through the midfield,” he said.
“I’m happy to do whatever, I started my career with Hawthorn in the backline so if they need me down there, I’d feel comfortable playing a role down there.”
Osborne was re-drafted by the Club with selection 70 in the 2012 National Draft after being delisted to free up space on the list for delisted Cat, Jonathan Simpkin.