DEFENDER Grant Birchall is the latest Hawk to commit to the Club, signing a three-year deal to remain at the Hawks until the end of the 2015 season.
Birchall, 24, is in his seventh season at the highest level, and is excited by the future at the Club.
“It’s fantastic, I think the Club is heading in the right direction and I’m really happy to have signed on for another three years,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic club to be a part of.”
The defender played in the Hawks’ 2008 premiership, in just his third year as an AFL footballer.
Adding a second premiership to his playing honours, and winning the Club’s eleventh is his aim.
“To try and win another premiership with the guys would be fantastic, that’d be the ultimate goal,” he said.
Despite being nominated for the All-Australian team last season, Birchall said that while recognition from the football community is humbling, he is focused on executing his role for the team.
“It’s nice to get a little bit of recognition here and there but what’s most important is what happens internally,” he said.
“Just as long as I’m doing all the right things internally, that’s the main thing.”
Harbouring leadership aspirations, the 193cm defender aims to improve on his leadership skills and cement a place in the Hawks’ leadership group.
Adding to those aspirations is becoming a mentor for his young defensive group and assisting them in their development.
“I’d like to get into the leadership group and start ramping up that sort of thing,” he said.
“I continue to work with the younger guys and I’ve really enjoyed that.
“We’ve got some great young defenders down there - they’ve picked things up really quickly and they’re going really well.”
At just 24 years of age, the 139 game veteran believes still has scope for improvement.
“Just trying to get better individually, I still believe I’ve got a bit to improve on,” he said.
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre
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