Tuck, who was suspended for 12 weeks by the AFL in August after recording a third strike under the League’s illicit drugs policy, was cut from the Hawks’ senior list but was retained as one of three players in the club’s training squad.
That left the 2005 father-son draftee vying for the last Rookie List spot alongside delisted Melbourne ruckman Paul Johnson and Northern Territory wingman Nathan Ahmat-Watkins, with a decision to be made after the NAB Cup.
“Travis is training the house down,” Renouf told afl.com.au.
“He’s looking in very good shape, but the other guys are training well, so I think it’ll just come down to what the club needs at that time.
“(Tuck) is in good spirits. Hopefully he’s back on the right track and we can keep him there.”
Renouf, who carried Hawthorn’s ruck duties on his own during the early part of last season when the club’s big man stocks were decimated by injury, expects to have far more support come round one this year.
“We’ve got Haley (former Kangaroo David Hale) into the club and Max Bailey’s up and going, and then we’ve got Luke Lowden and Sam Grimley pushing as well,” Renouf said.
“We’ve been doing some pretty good training together and we’re all pretty excited about where we’re going.”
The 2008 premiership ruckman said the progress of Bailey - a highly rated prospect who has undergone three knee reconstructions and managed just six senior games since being drafted in 2005 - has the playing group buoyant.
“I’m not too sure what the club’s plan is for (Bailey) but he’s training well and he’s out on the track with us and the boys are loving it. It’s pretty exciting.”
Meanwhile, Hale has slotted in comfortably at his new club.
“He’s going well. He’s ten years into the system so he’s fitted in right away and he’s been good with the boys, and he’s been good on the track as well.”
Renouf said an AFL rule change that will see the number of interchange players reduced from four to three and the introduction of a substitute, could mean less rest for ruckmen as teams seek to keep midfielders fresh.
“I think most of the big guys will be expected to play a bit more game time now,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest impact it will have on me and the other ruckmen.”
Hawthorn will travel to Tasmania for its annual Telstra AFL Community Camp next week, ahead of a round one NAB Cup clash with Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Sunday 13 February.
