A FIT and firing Paul Hasleby is what Fremantle fans have been desperate to see for some time now. As his teammate, friend and business partner, I've also been eager to observe it myself.
Haze and I began our careers together when we were drafted way back in 1999 at picks No.2 and 4 respectively.
A talented sportsperson from the country town of Northampton – about five hours north of Perth – Haze was the epitome of a young gun destined to play AFL football.
Like many other gifted WA players, he crafted his trade at WAFL club East Fremantle and won a league best and fairest at 18. He also won the Larke Medal as the best player at the 1999 under-18 championships.
As a young person from interstate, I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and interested to learn as much as I could about Perth. All I needed to do was spend half-an-hour with Haze to realise his laid-back country nature and sense of humour was very much in tune with the city itself.
Fast forward nine-and-a-half years and I’m sure Haze would admit that his AFL ride – like that of many players – has been quite tumultuous.
Challenges also brought a monumental shift in his attitude at the end of the 2007 season.
Haze wasn't happy with his output as a player, nor was he happy with the person he had become. He admitted that he would often make excuses and hide away from what he actually needed to do to improve. He made a commitment to change and become a more rounded person, as well as a consistent team player.
He trained hard, altered a few things off the field and was in – as the celebrities say – a 'great place'.
It came as a bitter blow then when he suffered every player’s worst nightmare – a snapped ACL and the consequent knee reconstruction – in the first game of the 2008 NAB Cup.
Instead of sitting back and sulking, Haze decided to commit himself further.
He undertook an unwavering approach to his rehabilitation, involved himself in coaching and the media and, for a mental break, travelled to the Beijing Olympics and through Europe.
Haze believed each of those experiences assisted in his evolution as a player and person.
On the field it has been great to see him back to doing what he does best.
That innate natural ability to win the ball in a contested stoppage situation will always remain a vital skill, and Haze has it in spades.
That instinctive knowledge of where the ball will drop and the way you should use your body has seen him win the AFL's Rising Star award and All-Australian honours.
And his performances so far this year suggest he is nearing that type of form.
Although it is great to see him back on the track and playing well, as a mate I take more from the fact that he noted his faults and was determined to alter them.
Here’s hoping his continued evolution mirrors our upward charge on the AFL ladder.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
