The resurgence of Aaron Hall in the last month has been one of the more memorable facets of 2015 at Metricon Stadium. Since entering a depleted midfield department that has been on its knees throughout the injury calamity, Hall has grasped the opportunity, playing like he was born in an engine room.
 
Only four weeks ago, the 24-year-old was pigeonholed as a small forward, with a spot in the midfield appearing unlikely given the question marks regarding his ability to cover the ground. But since being thrown into the midfield out of pure necessity more than anything else, Hall has thrived in the face of adversity.
 
In the last month he has equalled or bettered his personal best for possessions with hauls of 24, 24, 28 and 29 in consecutive weeks. When you consider the Tasmanian had no pre-season whatsoever after undergoing a major groin operation, the question is: how much better can he get as a midfielder with a satisfactory pre-season under his belt?
 
“I feel like I can (lift again with a full pre-season). I did only one per cent of the pre-season this year and I’ve been hampered with the groins,” Hall told reporters at Gold Coast’s recovery session at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club on Monday.
 
“Hopefully this year, touchwood, that I can put forward a quality pre-season. I’ve noticed myself a little bit in the second half just drifting out of games a little bit the last few weeks. It’s something that I’ll look to work on.
 
“Coming from so far back, from not walking for four months it took me a long time. I got a few shin splints with my rehab process so that took a bit longer than it probably should have.
 
“Coming back from that I felt a bit lost on the ground to be honest, I wasn’t covering the ground like I should have.”
 
After bursting out of the blocks against Richmond on Sunday afternoon, Hall slowed in the second half, drawing a mix of praise and criticism from Rodney Eade in his post-match press conference. The veteran coach was pleased with Hall’s drive, but suggested he slipped back into some bad habits after the main break.
 
Hall revealed that Eade has been riding him hard in order to conjure the best football out of the utility, and despite producing a stellar patch in the last four weeks, he has a lot to learn about playing through the midfield.
 
“Rocket’s been coaching me really hard - he wants to get the best out of me. Yesterday we had a little chat and we said obviously my first half was great but I tapered off in the second half,” Eade said.
 
“There’s thing to work on, some defensive patterns, running out of the midfield that I’m just not used to. He’s coaching me really hard but it’s really positive and he’s telling me to take the game on when I can. I’m working really closely with him.
 
 “I’m really enjoying the midfield. I’ve always felt more comfortable being around the stoppages and around the ball. I’ve got a lot to learn in there through running patterns and defensive running patterns, but I’m liking being around the ball.”