With the premiership season just three games old, Jack Hutchins now has the opportunity to start matching his strong 2013 start, in which the utility locked down regular spot for nine of the Gold Coast SUNS’ first 12 games of the campaign.

His physical strength and clean ball skills were on the verge of shining through, before chronic back soreness derailed a promising season, limiting him to just one more AFL appearance for the remainder of the year. 

But the smoke is beginning to clear once more for Hutchins.

An injury-interrupted pre-season has done little to derail his senior ambitions, with the strong-bodied Gold Coast player earning a return to AFL level after finding consistency in the reserves.

The 22-year-old said he can’t wait to take his place in the top squad against premier Hawthorn this weekend.

“I’m stoked to be given the opportunity to play senior AFL football,” Hutchins said.

“It’s a great task for us and the boys to be going up against the reigning premiers.

“We’re really looking forward to showing what we have against the best side.”

Given Hawthorn’s rich vein of form, you wouldn’t blame Hutchins for showing signs of nerves leading into Saturday’s round four showdown.

But the versatile swingman believes he couldn’t have timed his comeback at a better time, insisting the thrill of taking on the AFL’s best has him more excited than anxious.

“They’re the in-form side, the reigning premiers and so that’s great for us to go up against the best.

“You’re always going to have nerves that you turn that into excitement straight away.

“Hopefully we can play the way we want to play, take it up to them and show them what we are capable of.”