AFL round 10 Gold Coast v Hawthorn: Live scores, updates, SuperCoach scores
Changkuoth Jiath was overlooked at the selection table for Hawthorn’s 2024 finals series. He chats to Glenn McFarlane about overcoming that disappointment as trade speculation grows.
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Hawthorn defender Changkuoth Jiath says the pain of being overlooked in the club’s wild finals ride last year and fighting a battle with his body in recent seasons has steeled his determination to make the most of his chances.
The talented Hawk has slotted in perfectly to the back half this season and is coming off a strong fortnight, including 32 disposals against Richmond and a game-breaking 25 disposals against Melbourne last week.
Importantly, he is again feeling confident in his body after soft tissue injuries meant he played only 11 and eight games across the past two seasons.
“Footy is a tough enough game anyway, but to have doubts going into games is really tough,” Jiath said ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Gold Coast in Darwin.
“To actually have no doubts going into games is a massive thing for me now.
“When you spend time on the sidelines, it drags your confidence down a bit, but I feel as though I am getting my confidence back again … being able to play the footy I want to play.
“I feel as though my best footy is still ahead of me as well. I am getting better with each game and I am loving it playing down back with the lads.”
Jiath, who turns 26 next month, has played 62 games in his seven seasons in brown and gold. He was available for the finals last season but after a late season niggle, he was overlooked when it came to the finals.
“I still think back to that elimination final (when the Hawks beat the Bulldogs) and not being picked and it drives me,” he said.
“Those sorts of setbacks drive you. Not being picked brings that edge and obviously with guys like ‘Barra’ (Tom Barrass) and (Josh) Battle coming in, it adds to the group so that puts pressure back on for spots.
“But I’ve always felt so supported at the club. The coaches, my teammates, the conditioning staff, and my family have all been so good for me and backed me in.”
Jiath made a decision not to travel overseas at the end of last season on a break and set to work on rebuilding his body and giving it every chance of success.
Other than a slight setback at the start of the year, he has had a clear run at it, having played two VFL games with Box Hill and six games with the Hawks, swiftly re-establishing himself as a key part of the backline, but also with a capacity to play in multiple roles.
“I didn’t go away at all (in the off-season) … I just wanted to stick around and perfect every part that I could,” he said.
“I wanted to leave no stone unturned. The block I had this pre-season was probably the best I’ve had since 2021 in terms of training fully the whole pre-season.”
He played almost half of his 62 games in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but feels as if he knows more about his body now which can hold him in good stead for the rest of his career.
Jiath said the challenge of taking on the Suns in Darwin on Thursday is a big one for the Hawks, given the Suns’ winning streak at the Top End.
“Gold Coast has some good form this season … we have to be ready for them,” he said.
“I played them once before up there and they smacked us (in 2022).
“It’s a great opportunity for us and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
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Originally published as AFL round 10 Gold Coast v Hawthorn: Live scores, updates, SuperCoach scores
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