Hogan joins a long list of young exports from the region who have played for Essendon’s VFL side, including West Coast Eagles forward Jobe Shanahan, St Kilda draftee James Barrat and recent Bombers AFL debutant Oskar Smartt.
Donning the number 66 against GWS Giants at Windy Hill in Essendon for round 17, Hogan was given the task of not only playing out of position, but serving as the last line of defence against AFL-listed players.
“I played a real deep role as the last line of defence, which isn’t my natural position. I like getting up the field and accumulating,” Hogan said.
“But it was good, I got to play on AFL-listed players and shut them down, so that was fun.
“They would take me to the ball sometimes, so it meant I had to be more aware and be a lot closer on the players when they looked dangerous.
“It was a good opportunity, and I’ve missed so much time, I didn’t do any preseason or anything, so to still be matching it with them after that gave me a lot of confidence heading into next year.”
In his debut, Hogan recorded nine disposals and a pair of marks and tackles, with his time away from the game in the past 12 months with a slew of hamstring injuries allowing him to focus on bulking up and strengthening the mental side of his game.
“I had never been injured before my three hamstring injuries, so I had to really build my professionalism and build my character because I had been given pretty much everything before then,” he said.
“The injuries allowed me to develop the mental side of it all too and get in the gym and put on size.
“The extra muscle and definition lets me roll out into the VFL and match it against those bigger bodies that have been doing it a long time at the highest level.
“I think the adversity has made me more driven and dedicated, especially with recovery. I never want to be in that rehab stage again.
“So, it’s definitely lit something in me that has benefited my game a lot.”
Despite his future remaining up in the air, Hogan hopes he can play a couple more games before the end of the VFL season for Essendon, as the club has been a home-away-from-home for the youngster early in his career.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do next year whether I stay at Essendon or explore somewhere else but so far it’s been good, they were great with my rehab, so I’m excited to finish the year down there,” he said.
“I’ve moved down here from Echuca, so I’ve made some really good mates, which made playing a lot easier because I know everyone and they know my capabilities.
“Jobe Shanahan, James Barrat and I trained down with Essendon last year before the draft, so it made playing a lot more fluid because I know their structures.
“The club was very welcoming and supportive of me, especially knowing I was a little bit nervous, so it allowed me to just finally get out there and play after such a long time.”
