DELISTED Hawthorn midfielder Alex Woodward has penned a letter to plead for a second AFL lifeline.

Woodward, 23, endured three knee reconstructions in four years, limiting him to only two games in the brown and gold.

But with his body fit and healthy, Woodward is drawing on the experience of Geelong’s Daniel Menzel and the Western Bulldogs’ Clay Smith as inspiration to get his AFL career back on track — albeit in an unusual way.

“My management and I thought it was a good idea to write a bit about myself and the situation I’m in and how keen I am to pursue the AFL pathway,” Woodward told SEN.

Finals Week 1

“I’m not entirely sure who my management sent (the letter) out to but hopefully he has sent it out to all clubs so they can recognise my passion for the game. I suppose I was selling myself in a sense that my body is fit now, that I’m only 23 and hopefully that’s an appealing view for clubs.

“My position at the moment is I’ve obviously been delisted by the Hawks and I guess prove myself that I’m worth a second chance so this two months is going to be a bit of a limbo period but I’m just keeping myself busy and hopefully I’ll get that second chance.”

Alex Woodward has overcome three knee reconstructions. Source: News Corp Australia

While he said he felt “uncomfortable” writing about himself, the 2014 JJ Liston Trophy winner admitted he was willing to try anything to get his AFL career back on track.

A move interstate was certainly not off the cards.

Woodward said he’d spoked to Menzel and Smith throughout his three knee recoveries. With both players having breakout seasons in 2016, Woodward indicated he had every belief he, too, could play a valuable role at another club in 2017.

“Obviously we’ve got similarities and we can compare out injuries fairly easily — it’s just good to have comfort in that sense and you’re not the only one in that situation,” Woodward said.

“So we were able to comfort each other and have a good chat about it, Dan Menzel in particular and I had a chat to Clay Smith as well.

“To see those guys going so well in the AFL system I couldn’t be happier for them. I’m just hoping for a second chance so I can be out with them.”