What Clarko says
38. Mitch Hallahan
Today my summer series continues with player number 38 on our list, Mitch Hallahan.
We recruited Mitch from the Dandenong Stingrays at the end of the 2010 season. Mitch played as a midfielder and we were impresssed by the tough and aggressive way he played his footy, he was prepared to win his own football and dish it out to his teammates. He played the last part of his time at the Stingrays under duress with an ankle injury that required surgery at the end of the season. This hampered his first preseason with the Hawks considerably, as a result his preparation for season 2011 was no where near as strong had he been able to complete a full preseason. Having said that, he still managed to play a few games with Box Hill and he acquitted himself well in those occasions - but without the fitness base for him to be able to play good consistent footy in the midfield.
He's preparation for 2012 has been much more productive - being able to do a lot of training and walk Kokoda - we've been happy with his progress thus far.
Mitch is now in a strong position to force his way into the Hawthorn lineup in 2012.
He's a great lad, nicknamed "Boxer" by his teammates due to his pugnacious approach.
Tomorrow we'll feature a player who played his 50th game in our 2011 preliminary final loss, Brendan Whitecross. We're expecting great things for this 21-year-old. I look forward to featuring Whitey, until then, all the best.
