Mitch Hallahan traded to Gold Coast Suns from Hawthorn, hopes to make most of Hawks experience

MITCH Hallahan and the Suns hope the former Hawk can follow in the footsteps of Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn by starring at a second club.

Hawthorn's final training season at Waverley Park before massive easter Monday clash with Geelong. Mitch Hallahan will play his first game for the Hawks. Picture: Stuart Milligan

MITCH Hallahan and the Suns hope the former Hawk can follow in the footsteps of Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn by becoming a star at his second AFL club.

The Suns ended the trade period with the signatures of the two players they identified as their sole targets at the start of the annual exchange period when they secured Hallahan from Hawthorn for picks No. 47 and 49.

Following on from the signing of Swans veteran Nick Malceski the Suns’ other priority was an inside midfielder. They have now added players from the two grand final clubs to their list.

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Suns list manager Scott Clayton said Hallahan’s inclusion would ease the heavy-lifting clearance burden on David Swallow and Jaeger O’Meara and allow them to spend time outside the contests.

“We watched him a lot and have been interested for quite a while,’’ he said.

“When we analysed exactly what we needed to improve on, we needed a really good ball-using metres-gained player (Malceski) and we needed a courageous, grunty inside player to help release some of our elite talent.’’

Hallahan won the Liston Medal as the VFL’s best and fairest last year and also made his AFL debut this season playing six games in the absence of injured star Sam Mitchell.

Very grateful to @HawthornFC players/coaches/fans for their support over the 4yrs. Can't wait to get to work with @GoldCoastSUNS #excited

— Mitch Hallahan (@mjhallahan38) October 16, 2014

He was highly rated by the Hawks but like the Swans duo Kennedy and McGlynn before him was unable to lock down a permanent position within the back-to-back premiers’ best 22.

He said he believed he could bring some of Hawthorn’s successful formula to the Gold Coast.

“You come from such a successful winning culture, you take a lot out of being in the inner-sanctum, hopefully I can bring some of that, the training habits, the standards, up to the Gold Coast and help them grow into what can be a real formidable side,’’ he said.

The 22-year-old also said the prospect of playing with Suns superstar Gary Ablett was a key factor in his decision.

“I think it’s going to be a wonderful experience for myself to learn and play alongside not only the young exciting talent they have in (David) Swallow, (Jaeger) O’Meara, (Dion) Prestia, but also probably, arguably, the greatest midfielder in the game in Gary Ablett,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be really good for my football in the coming years.”

Originally published as Mitch Hallahan traded to Gold Coast Suns from Hawthorn, hopes to make most of Hawks experience