What Clarko says

14. Grant Birchall

Our summer series counting down the Hawks' 2012 playing list continues today with the profile of Grant Birchall who will wear the number 14 guernsey for 2012.

Grant had a really solid 2011 season where he finished high in our best and fairest tally and played football at a consistent level that we've come to expect from him.

In 2009 and 2010 his season plateaued somewhat after a really exciting start to his career, where in his second year of footy he played in a premiership side.

Grant got back to the type of form that we expect from him last year, and was really stiff not making it to the final selection of the All Australian team.

We're really confident that he can step up. He's played over 100 games of footy in his five seasons at the Hawks - he's a guy we can see improving and leading our back-end in the years to come.

One of the great features of his game is his dash off half-back.

He's got a beautiful kick and so often the goals we score are from Grant's play off the half-back line.

One of the great benefits we've had over the last few years without some taller timber in the back-end is having 'Birch' play on taller players, where he's really proven himself.
 
We think with his experience over the last 24 months has held him in good stead.

We look forward to watching another season of 'Birch' playing and know that if he performs well, he can help us move deep into September.

Tomorrow we feature Kyle Cheney who we recruited from Melbourne Football Club who came to the Hawks in 2010. 

What are your thoughts?