Fact: We haven’t seen enough of Grant Birchall over the past 12 months.

Hawks fans had become accustomed to the four-time premiership star’s organisational skills and clever disposal across Hawthorn’s back line over the past decade. 

But, after a horrid run of injuries reduced Birchall to just five games in 2017, the brown and gold army were left wanting more. 

Don’t get us wrong; Birchall’s influence in those five outings was impressive.

With the exception of Round 3 against Adelaide (where he suffered a fractured jaw early in the match), the 30-year-old averaged 23 disposals and six marks a game – as good as any of his past season numbers. 

He also helped the Hawks seal victory with an impressive 28-disposal performance in his first game back against the ladder-leading Crows in Round 14.  

Read: Hawks announce JLT squad

So when you look at the stats, along with all the added footy smarts Birchall imparts on his teammates, it becomes clear why Hawks fans are hungry for more.

Despite the fact that we won’t see him out on the park during the current JLT series, the 30-year-old is hoping to make his awaited comeback early in the home and away season.

“Ever since I had that arthroscope before Christmas, things have been going well and I am back running now and feeling nice and strong,’’ Birchall told Fairfax Media this week.

“We will just see how it progresses over the next four to six weeks, and if it continues to improve how it has, I should be back early on in the season.” 

With the departures of fellow premiership teammates Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson at the end of last season, Birchall is aware that football doesn’t last forever.

“I’ve just turned 30 and I am certainly towards the back end of my career so to speak,” the 2012 All Australian said.

“So, it does make you appreciate what you do a little bit more when you are on the sidelines and it makes you think about life after football”.

As tough as last year was, the veteren defender got satisfaction out of watching the development of his young teammates, especially those playing at the defensive end, as the likes of Ryan Burton and James Sicily emerged as future stars of the competition.

“We were forced to play the kids, which gave them a bit of a taste, so hopefully those guys can really stand and take their football to the next level,’’ Birchall said.

“With a bit of added experience, we should gel really well and I am really looking forward to and can’t wait to get out there.”

Barring injury, Birchall, who is currently sitting on 245 career games, is set to chalk up his 250th game in the season ahead.

We have a feeling this milestone might be a popular one amongst the brown and gold army...