Mitch Hallahan never got a proper opportunity at Hawthorn and when you look at their embarrassment of riches, it’s not hard to see why. Dual and triple premiership players sit in their engine room. Winning a spot in that on-ball division was the antithesis of a lay down misere.
 
So when the Gold Coast SUNS came knocking during last year’s trade period, the clearance specialist made the brave decision to depart the Hawks nest after four seasons and head for greener pastures in southern Queensland.
 
After an eye-catching maiden pre-season at Metricon Stadium, his selection in Rodney Eade’s round one side came as no surprise. It was vindication for a tough decision made in the best interests of his football career. Something Hallahan admits has turned out well at this stage of proceedings.
 
“It’s panned out pretty well, I put the work in over the summer and I’m lucky enough to grab an opportunity early in the piece,” Hallahan told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
 
“It's something that Hawthorn speak about, their young players doing apprenticeships in the VFL and felt like I served mine and now I felt that I’m ready to take that next step and have an impact at AFL level.”
 
The 2014 JJ Liston medallist (VFL best and fairest award) was recruited by the SUNS to fill a specific gap in the club’s midfield. Scott Clayton and the recruiting staff identified a need for an inside midfielder to complement the club’s crop of polished stars.
 
Hallahan revealed Eade has demanded he play to his strengths and win the ball inside and then distriubute to outside runners.
 
“He’s just sent a real clear message, just continue to play to your strengths - my strength is an inside midfielder,” he said.
 
“He’s really backed me in in that area of the game and probably challenged me a little bit to get some outside ball as well, but primarily it is to have that real impact on the inside.”
 
The midfield group at the Gold Coast SUNS compromises some of the most exciting and electrifying young stars in the game. As well as a couple of seasoned veterans who have more than demonstrated their ability to compete at the top.
 
Hallahan believes he has slotted in nicely to the SUNS engine room and won’t require any time to build cohesion with his new teammates after a summer learning the nuisances of the new faces around him.
 
“We’ve been training together for the best part of three months now. We’ve played two games together,” Hallahan said.

“I feel right at home with the group we’ve got in the midfield and I think they can trust me as well as me trust them so I don’t think it will take any time really. Once the ball’s bounced on Saturday, we’ll just click and go about our business.”