Former Western Bulldogs coach Terry Wallace has pulled apart former number two draft pick Jonathan O’Rourke.
O’Rourke was drafted by Greater Western Sydney before requesting a trade to Hawthorn, but has only managed nine games since joining the club in 2015.
“Jono O’Rourke’s an interesting one for me,” Wallace told SEN's The Match Committee.
“I went and had a look at Box Hill last week, I just saw that he doesn’t look like a player that’s in elite AFL shape.
“I think he’s cutting corners somewhere, whether that’s diet or whether that’s really extreme training regime, he doesn’t look as fit as some other blokes out there.”
Wallace believes the time has come for the Hawks to decide whether to persist with the once highly touted midfielder.
“I think he’s coming into his last year of contract, it’s now or never for Jono O’Rourke,” Wallace added.
The 23-year-old has been named on Hawthorn’s extended bench for this week’s clash with reigning premiers Richmond, but Wallace said he didn’t think the he was worthy of a call-up based on his VFL efforts.
“Now if they select him in this side, they’re selecting him on hope more than what he did, because what I saw at Punt Road was a bloke who’s still a fair way off what I think AFL football is all about,” he added further.
O’Rourke has played 18 career games.
