By JARROD POTTER
FROM under a green vest on Monday afternoon, Mitch Hallahan knew that he was finally ready to make his mark on the AFL.
Hallahan, 21, from Sorrento, finally received his call up to the AFL team and was given the substitute’s vest for his inaugural match – a relatively long wait for a debutant. But the occasion was supreme – Easter Monday against Geelong at the MCG – and Hallahan thought he had the best seat in the house for the match.
The former Dandenong Stingrays’ captain was thrilled to soak in the rumbling cauldron of the MCG, settle a few frayed nerves and watch from the sidelines as his team mates duked it out with Geelong for three quarters.
“You probably have the best seat in the house,” Hallahan said.
“I was sitting down there at ground level and can see what’s happening.
“For me there was a little bit of nerves pre-game and leading into the game, but to sit there for three quarters and to take it all in, soak in the atmosphere and bide your time til you take the vest off – the nerves had settled and I was ready to play footy.”
His time came in the fourth quarter – subbed on for ruckman Ben McEvoy – and started in the midfield against the likes of Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson through the centre.
He drilled a goal in the loss as Geelong took a 15.16 (106) to 12.15 (87) win over the Hawks, but Hallahan won’t forget his debut or the feeling he got when his team mates cheered him onto the ground for his first moments as an AFL footballer.
“The first moment where you know you’re going to come out on to the ground and that you’re about to be amongst it,” Hallahan said.
“Once I took the vest off, the boys were a little bit excited for me and we were going into the last quarter and it was a tight game, but the enthusiasm towards me coming onto the ground was really good and something I won’t forget.
“It’s always good to get recognised for the hard work you put in and earn a debut, but to play against Geelong – who is our modern day rival and on a big stage – it was pretty special and I guess you could say it was worth the hard work I have put in over the last four years.”
Hallahan starred in the VFL last season – playing in Box Hill’s premiership winning team and also claiming the prestigious Liston Trophy in a three-way tie with Steve Clifton and Jordan Schroeder.
He puts his personal success down to the team atmosphere at Hawthorn and Box Hill and the tireless work of people behind the scenes to get the team ready.
“It’s been a really interesting 12 months and a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes,” Hallahan said.
“You see the results on game day, but there are a lot of people behind the scenes that put in time and effort to your development and work in closely with you so you get those results.”
Not one to forget his grassroots connections or where he came from, Hallahan wanted to thank all the football clubs along his journey for their part in his success.
“Plenty of people and I’ll thank those people personally – but there’s a lot along the way; junior club at Sorrento, Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup and everyone involved at the Hawthorn and Box Hill Football Clubs,” Hallahan said.
Hallahan retained his spot in the Hawthorn side and was selected to face Richmond on Sunday afternoon.
