MPNFL 2019: Sorrento’s Mitch Hallahan caps outstanding season with EV Shade Medal

Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast Suns midfielder Mitch Hallahan has won the Mornington Peninsula league’s top award — but he wants more.

Mitch Hallahan shows off the MPNFL Division 1 EV Shade Medal. Picture: Frankie Photography

Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast Suns midfielder Mitch Hallahan has been crowned the MPNFL’s best and fairest player for 2019.

His outstanding season with Sorrento was acknowledged when he polled 21 votes to win the EV Shade Medal by two from Pines’ Luke Potts at the league awards on Monday night.

But, while describing the award as “very humbling’’, he’s not allowing himself to celebrate it just yet.

Mitch Hallahan accepts his medal. Picture: Scott Grimster.

Hallahan is focused on helping the Sharks win the premiership on Sunday week.

“For myself at the moment the season’s not over so I haven’t really spent too much time thinking about it (the medal win),’’ he said this morning.

“I’ll wait until the season’s over and then I can reflect on it properly.’’

After seven years in the AFL system, which included six games with Hawthorn and 20 for the Suns, Hallahan returned to his home club Sorrento last year to play alongside his brother James.

He says stepping out of the AFL “bubble’’ and back to “normality’’ had helped his football flourish.

“The last two years I’ve been very grounded and content in where I am at the moment,’’ he said.

“I’ve been able to play back for my home club in Sorrento and be surrounded by family and friends. I think that’s where I’ve got the most joy out of being able to play footy again.’’

Hallahan has been a driving force in Sorrento’s journey to a second successive minor premiership this year.

Hallahan gets a kick for the Gold Coast Suns in 2016.

A tough and skillful ball magnet, he’s got the Sharks going in just about every game.

Hallahan was in tears after Sorrento’s one-point loss to Pines in last season’s grand final. He says he decided to turn the heartbreak into a positive this season.

“Going into the year I just wanted to be consistent,’’ he said.

“I pride myself on consistency and delivering what needs to be delivered to ensure the team wins each week.

A dejected Mitch Hallahan after last season’s grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I think that was a big one for me, just keep it simple, come back and not sort of dwell on last year’s missed opportunity but actually make something of it. For me it was all about consistency and doing what I can to help the Sharks win.’’

A 15-year-old Mitch Hallahan won a Victorian boxing title.

At 15, Hallahan took up boxing to keep fit for football but was so proficient at it that he won a Victorian title in 2008.

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But football was his number one love and he went on to become co-captain of the Dandenong Stingrays with Luke Parker before being drafted.

In 2013, Hallahan played with Hawthorn’s VFL-affiliate, Box Hill Hawks, winning the JJ Liston Trophy in a three-way tie. Two weeks later he played in Box Hill’s premiership, alongside Luke Lowden, who is also now playing with Sorrento.

“Hopefully we can emulate that this year,’’ Hallahan said.

EV Shade Medal: Mitch Hallahan (Sorrento) 21 votes, Luke Potts (Pines) 19, Sean Downie (Rosebud) 17, Shane McDonald (Bonbeach) 17, Luke Lowden (Sorrento) 15, Robert Turnbull (Mt Eliza) 15, Daniel Hughes (Frankston YCW) 15, Russell Gabriel (Pines) 15.