Having been at the club for the best part of two months now, our 2017 draftees are starting to adjust to life as an AFL footballer.
Hawthornfc.com.au caught up with each of our first years to see how they're travelling and to ask all the hard questions.
Here's Harrison Jones' take.
Catch up: Q+A with Changkuoth Jiath
LIFE AT THE HAWKS
How have you found pre-season so far?
I’ve loved it so far. I haven’t been doing full training because of my back injury. But I have loved the specific training I have been doing and seeing the progression I am making with my back. I’m loving it even more that I’m starting to do some more drills.
Where are you looking to play this year?
I’m in the midfield group at the moment. So, I think I’ll be wing and inside mid.
Strengths as a player?
My strengths would be tackling, endurance and competitiveness.
Goals for the year?
First and foremost, it’s about getting my back right so that I can forget about the injury and start moving forward. But I am pretty close to that now so from there it is just about earning respect from the boys and playing good footy in the VFL.
Someone at training you've tried to follow around?
Tom Mitchell is one I have been keeping a close eye on. Just the way he trains and his work in the middle. He is impressive.
Best advice/instruction you've had since arriving at the club?
One that stands out for me is “don’t only work on your weaknesses, make your strengths stronger”. Because I have always thought to work on weaknesses and leave the stuff that you are already good at, but the Hawks encourage you to make your strengths a weapon, which I like.
How have you found Alastair Clarkson so far?
He is awesome. He is a bit alternative but really open and he gets around us new guys. He is easy to talk to and is always willing to have a chat.
LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLUB
Living circumstances: Are you still living at home/ who are you living with- how are you finding Melbourne?
I’m in with a host family in Surrey Hills. It’s been really good, they are really nice people and their house is great.
Any nicknames Hawks fans should be aware of?
‘Jonah’ and ‘Jonesy’, which are ones that I have always had. So, nothing out of the ordinary yet!
Do you have a celebrity crush?
(long pause of consideration)... um, probably Eugenie Bouchard.
What are your hobbies outside of footy?
I like watching and playing basketball. Also, I like going out in the boat back home in Wodonga and reading.
What is your biggest fear?
I guess, related to footy, it would be not making the most of the opportunity I have.
What would you be doing if you didn’t get drafted?
I would still be living in Wodonga, playing for the Murray Bushrangers as an over-ager. Because I hurt my back halfway through the year, I sort of expected to be doing that more than likely and was prepared for that. But, luckily, I got drafted!
If you were a superhero, what would your name and superpower be?
Jeez! (long pause again)… what have the other boys said? Ummm.. I’ll go Rainman and my superpower can be that I can’t miss three-pointers in basketball.