AFL 2025: Mabior Chol wants to ‘repay’ Hawthorn for his second wind as a footballer

Mabior Chol’s journey across three AFL clubs has endured its ups and downs, but he’s determined to give back to Hawthorn after it saved his career.

Hawthorn forward Mabior Chol is on a mission to “repay” the club after it threw him a second AFL lifeline.

Chol’s career has peaked and plummeted more than most, but it’s a path he is eternally grateful for.

He has played at three AFL clubs – with no more than 31 games at each – and tasted success only at the state-league level.

Chol moved from Richmond to Gold Coast at the end of 2021 and quickly became the club’s leading goal kicker in 2022.

But he found himself out of the senior side again and bound for Hawthorn at the end of 2023.

Now spearheading the side favoured to win the premiership, Chol, 28, is feeling Hawthorn’s support and believes it’s reflecting in his performances.

“I am very grateful for the path I have gone through,” Chol said after kicking three goals in a win over Carlton.

Hawthorn forward Mabior Chol is “grateful” for his turbulent journey and is unsure where he would be without it. Picture: Michael Klein

“I feel like I have learned a lot about myself and what it takes to be a footballer – if that didn’t happen I don’t know where I would be today.

“I am at a great football club who believes in me, I have a great coach who believes in me and a playing group who believes in me.

“I try not to take it for granted, I am very grateful to be at a club that believes in me, I feel like I am playing with a lot of self-belief and confidence.

“If I can just repay the football club by showing up every week, playing consistent footy, that’s something you know.”

Chol was on Richmond’s list during its golden era but did not feature in any of its three premierships.

It was at Punt Rd, alongside some of the game’s greats, he discovered the standards he is now passing down at Hawthorn.

“I think what it really took to be an AFL footballer, I played with so many greats but now I see myself as a leader,” he said.

Mabior Chol (right) during his time at Richmond alongside Daniel Rioli (left). Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“If I can lead by good example, turn up every week, then I will be very happy.

“That consistency is something I am after, if I can bring that every week then I will be very happy with that.”

The Hawks went 3-0 for the first time since 2014 last Friday night, courtesy of another strong performance by new defensive duo Tom Barrass and Josh Battle.

Battle remarkably kept dual Coleman Medal winner Charlie Curnow to five disposals and goalless.

Chol has been tasked with navigating around Barrass and Battle at training and says he is becoming a better player as a result.

“They’re pretty good, I think that’s why I am learning a lot, especially from Tom Barrass,” he said.

“I feel like since they’ve been across to here, I have learned a lot from those two, they’re very good defenders and I look forward to working with them for the rest of the year.”

Originally published as AFL 2025: Mabior Chol wants to ‘repay’ Hawthorn for his second wind as a footballer