Premier Cricket: Former Hawthorn player Oliver Hanrahan links with Kingston Hawthorn

Oliver Hanrahan is switching his sporting focus to cricket after being overlooked in the AFL drafts, but he’s staying in Hawk colours.

Oliver Hanrahan getting busy for Hawthorn this year in the AFL.

A former AFL Hawk has switched his sporting focus to Victorian Premier Cricket and become a Kingston Hawthorn Hawk.

Oliver Hanrahan is expected to line up for the club for the first time this Saturday.

A right-hand batsman and medium pacer, he’s been training with Kingston Hawthorn for a few weeks while waiting it out for the AFL drafts.

The 23-year-old had hoped to gain a second AFL listing.

A clever forward and midfielder, Hanrahan played 29 AFL games for Hawthorn after being drafted as a rookie.

His tally included 13 this year.

He was also a leading performer for Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.

“Yeah, I was hoping to get another chance, definitely,’’ Hanrahan said this morning.

“I was pretty disappointed when I didn’t get picked up in the trade period or the draft, but at the end of the day it opens up new opportunities.

“I had four or five clubs pretty interested the whole way but there was a lack of list spots and I didn’t get offered another gig.

“I’m dealing with it pretty well, to be honest. I guess now I just have to weigh up what I want to do now with my footy, whether that be VFL or local or whatever. I have to sit down with the family and figure that out.’’

In the meantime he’s going to resume playing cricket.

He last played a match about five years ago.

But Hanrahan, who came through the Brighton Union club, was a prominent under-age cricketer, being selected for Breakers teams in the state championships. He spent some time at the powerful Melbourne club; was a star player for Moorabbin the VSDCA Hatch Shield in 2012-13, creaming 227 runs at 37.67; and also played with distinction for his school, St Kevin’s.

“I take my cricket pretty seriously,’’ he said.

“Absolutely love it and I missed it while I was in the footy system. I’m just really excited to get back out there and play and maybe give the Kingston Hawthorn boys some leadership.’’

Hanrahan’s great mate Matt Vorbach is in his second season at Kingston Hawthorn.

Hanrahan said he was believed there was a lot of talent at the Hawks and the club was moving in the right direction under coach Peter Marshall.