Ben McEvoy spent the past five weeks in the reserves, but never did the Hawthorn ruckman give up on his AFL grand final dream.

McEvoy left St Kilda at the end of the 2013 season, joining the Hawks with high hopes of finally being part of a premiership outfit.

The form of Jonathon Ceglar and various injury setbacks meant McEvoy’s move hasn’t gone completely to plan.

But coach Alastair Clarkson has recalled McEvoy when it matters.

“Clarko has said all along, he’ll pick the best 22 to beat Sydney tomorrow,” McEvoy said on Friday.

“I’ve had to fight really hard.

“AFL footy is tough at the best of times, but try getting a spot in one of the two best teams in the league.”

When McEvoy was dropped after round 21, Clarkson made it clear what he needed to work on in the VFL.

Since then, he’s been mostly in the dark about Clarkson’s ruck plans for September.

“There wasn’t a lot of contact. There didn’t need to be really, it was just about me going away and doing my thing,” McEvoy said.

“It’s always challenging, but everyone goes through those challenging times.

“I always knew there was a chance (of a recall), so I kept working hard and it’s paid off.

“I’m pretty good at handling it (the disappointment of being dropped) – channelling it into working hard training hard and playing good footy.”

McEvoy knows the heartbreak Ceglar is experiencing all too well, having been dropped for the 2010 grand final by Saints coach Ross Lyon.

But Ceglar has been nothing but class since finding out he was dropped for the grand final.

“As soon as we found out, he (Ceglar) contacted me and wished me all the best … he couldn’t have taken it any better,” McEvoy said.

“We are good mates. There is no issue there. It’s just footy.

“I certainly understand how he is feeling.”