Steve Barrett @ Messenger Community News wrote:Hier heading for a half century
WORKING HARD: Zack Hier attempts to spoil
West forward Ryan Bennett on SundayFOR the vast majority of his 49 League games, Eagles full-back Zack Hier has conceded a height advantage to his direct opponent.
At 187cm, Hier is relatively short for a key defender, a situation he much prefers to the alternative.
``Normally they’re a bit taller,’’ Hier said after the Eagles’ 15.17 (107) to 10.11 (71) win over West Adelaide on Sunday.
``But I prefer them (tall forwards) than the short, nippy blokes with a lot of speed.
``I prefer the body-on-body style… much rather being on the bigger guys than shorter guys.’’
Hier will make his 50th league appearance when the Eagles confront top-ranked Glenelg at the Bay this Sunday.
Standing out like a sore thumb among Hier’s half-century is game No. 6 when, as an 18-year-old rookie, he played in the Eagles’ 2006 premiership, having not long before come across from the North Eastern Football League.
``There’s nothing better than winning a grand final,’’ Hier said.
``I was stunned… after watching it (SANFL) for years growing up and then being out there one day, I didn’t know what to think.’’
After a rare finals miss last year, the Eagles are back in 2009, and so too is Hier, who has done well in the past month after spending three straight weeks across July in the Reserves.
``They asked me to go back and work on my fitness. I wasn’t quite doing enough at League level so I went back to work on my match fitness a bit.
``He (coach Ron Fuller) gave me feedback he was happy with how I went so he asked me to come back up.’’
Hier hopes to remain at the top for a while yet.
``To get to 100 games would be nice. I’m just happy to hold my spot at the moment.
``We always have good tussles against them (Glenelg), so hopefully we do alright, get our matchups right and have a good run into the finals.’’