14. Grant Birchall

[philhawk]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like ralphwiggum will be the man mainlyy in charge of looking after 'Birch' for this season!

Over to you, ralph!

[Brown n Gold]

Come on Hawk fans... lets get some passion about our #14 what does 2007 have in store for GB... well lets see 20+ quality touches on a regular basis... lets see running football and RAKING left foot delivery into the outstretched dukes of the rifleman!!

Best n fairest in the future for our favourite tassie hawk

Brown N Gold
Grant Birchall Fanclub president

[philhawk]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21789785-5012432,00.html

Young Hawk finds true love on the rebound
Malcolm Conn
May 25, 2007

IMPRESSIVE Hawthorn teenager Grant Birchall is the classic advertisement why AFL football is bleeding talent from other sports across the southern and western states.

It helps to explain why the Australian cricket team will go into this year's Boxing Day Test at the MCG without a single Victorian following the retirement of Shane Warne, and why Western Australia, once a fast bowler's factory, is now importing them from Queensland.

Such are the recruiting and development tentacles of the cashed-up AFL that Birchall's talent first came to notice when he had given up football to concentrate on basketball.

Birchall was playing under-aged basketball for the Tasmanian state team and found at 15 that he could not do both sports justice while keeping up with his studies.

It was during this football hiatus that he was spotted by a local AFL development officer kicking the ball around with his mates at a high school just outside Devonport. The exciting find was reported to then Tassie Mariners under-18 coach Hamish Ogilvie, now Adelaide's Melbourne-based recruiting manager.

"We got him in to play a practice match at the start of the new year but at that stage I didn't know how old he was so we just put him straight in the under-18s," Ogilvie recalled.

"He was only 15 and he killed them. We were ready to pick him in the under-18s straight away but did a bit more research and found he was too young."

So Birchall was assigned to the Devonport senior side in the Northern Tasmanian Football League, in which he was a key player in successive grand final appearances. Out went basketball, as Birchall's passion for football was reignited.

"I always wanted to be an AFL footballer," Birchall said.

It was a passion which began following St Kilda on television, watching Robert Harvey bullocking, weaving and dashing forward.

Now the AFL's oldest player at 35, Harvey made his debut in 1988, the year Birchall was born.

"I remember him in his Brownlow days," Birchall said. "I was always in awe of how good he was and how he went about his footy."

Birchall, now 19 and in his second season, still can't believe that he is running out in games against Harvey and a more recent idol, West Coast's Chris Judd.

"To play against them these days is a pretty big buzz," Birchall said.

That buzz will be high octane tomorrow when the young Hawks meet West Coast, captained by Judd.

It will be all the more special because the match will be at Launceston's Aurora Stadium, where Birchall played so much of his junior footy.

"It's always nice to go home," he said. "I always look forward to playing in front of my friends and family, especially against a team like West Coast, who are the premiers."

Birchall is delighted that increasingly Hawthorn is making Tasmania its second home, with a pre-season match and four home-and-away games this season.

The Hawks have beaten Geelong in Launceston this year, extending their winning run at Aurora Stadium to four going back to 2005, and nine wins from 13 matches since Hawthorn first began playing there in 2001.

"It works out really well," Birchall said of Hawthorn's regular trips to the island state.

"It means I can get back home a little bit more and see the family, which is nice.

"To play at Aurora Stadium, where I played so much football in my juniors days, is great."

Ogilvie continues to encourage the Tassie connection among his former charges, even though he is no longer with the Mariners. He has organised a monthly lunch for all the Tasmanians who have been drafted recently, with gatherings of up to a dozen turning up. This month it is Birchall's turn to pick the venue.

Birchall acknowledged he had initial concerns about leaving home and moving to Melbourne but said they lasted only weeks.

"We're such a young group at Hawthorn, that's enabled me to feel a bit more comfortable," he said. "At first it was pretty tough. Now I love being over here and the Melbourne way of life. It's a bit different to Tassie."

Birchall believes that it was playing against men in Devonport as a 16-year-old that set him up to adjust more quickly at AFL level. Almost all of the Victorian players come through the elite under-18 system and do not run into senior football until after they are drafted.

"That was one advantage I did have, playing against men for a couple of seasons getting used to all the knocks and contacts against men," he said.

[DynamoUltra]

This kid, along with Jordan Lewis, will be the lesser known stars of our future. They will be recognised, but not to the likes of Buddy, Roughy, Hodge, Mitchell etc. Out and out guns.

[rumblah]

This kid, along with Jordan Lewis, will be the lesser known stars of our future. They will be recognised, but not to the likes of Buddy, Roughy, Hodge, Mitchell etc. Out and out guns.

:eek:

[Brown n Gold]

According to Supercoach stats Birch has the highest efficiency of any player who has had over 150 touches for the season.... Champion!! just wait untill he gets used to his bigger body!!! this kid will go very far

[RustyHawk]

Birchall set to play finals
11:55 AM Tue 4 September, 2007 | Back


for hawthornfc.com.au

News
Hawks defender, Grant Birchall, has been cleared to play in Saturday’s first elimination final against Adelaide at the Telstra Dome, having accepted a reprimand and 60 points from the AFL Match Review Panel for striking Sydney’s Ryan O'Keefe in Sunday’s match against the Swans.

Birchall has been an important figure in the Hawks’ defence this season, having played every game, providing height and hard running off the half-back line.

Given that Birchall has no existing record, an early plea following the weekend’s incident has reduced the penalty by 25 per cent to a reprimand and 60 points towards his future record, making the young defender available for Saturday’s crunch game against the Crows.

The incident had been assessed by the Match Review Panel as negligent conduct (one point), low impact (one point) and high contact (two points). This is a total of four activation points, resulting in a classification of a Level One offence, drawing 80 demerit points and a reprimand.

Meanwhile, Hawks midfielder, Chance Bateman, has been cleared of any serious damage after leaving the field of play with a hamstring injury on the weekend. Bateman had scans on Monday, revealing a low grade injury, and will undergo a fitness test later this week before selection for Saturday’s first elimination final against Adelaide.

Trent Croad is recovering well after falling heavily in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to Sydney. The key defender will also have tests this week to ensure he is fully fit and available for Saturday’s match

[RustyHawk]

Grant Birchall has enough carryover points that if he gets suspended in 2008 he will get an extra match suspension.

Hawks trio have more than a few points to prove
Len Johnson | October 5, 2007

HAWTHORN will start 2008 without three of its best players — Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Shane Crawford — after all were suspended for offences in its elimination final loss to the Kangaroos in the second week of the finals.

That situation is bad enough, but the demerit points system in use since the AFL Tribunal system was reviewed means that Hodge, Grant Birchall and Campbell Brown also carry over enough points to put them in jeopardy of an extra game on any sanction they incur next year.

The Hawks on-field discipline — at least in terms of number of players reported — fell away late in 2007.

Coming into round 20, Hawthorn was second on the ladder. Losses to Port Adelaide and Sydney in the last three rounds cost the club a double chance.

Six Hawthorn players were reported on seven charges from round 18 until the end of the Hawks' season.

Hawthorn football operations manager Mark Evans said yesterday the figures were skewed by the elimination final and he did not believe they reflected a breakdown in on-field discipline.

"It is always a concern when you have players suspended, but take out the last game and the other offences are pretty minor." (Of the seven charges from round 18 on, four were for striking, one attempted striking, one contact with an umpire and one wrestling).

AFL Tribunal statistics for 2007 show that Fremantle had the worst record overall but the Hawks had the worst in the last quarter of the season. In addition, Crawford was the most reported player in the competition.

The 1999 Brownlow medallist was booked four times in total, twice on striking charges in a pre-season game against Fremantle, on abusive language in a practice game against Essendon and then against the Kangaroos in the elimination final.

Crawford got a reprimand on the first pre-season charge, missed the first home-and-away game after copping a week on the second, was fined $1800 on the abusive language count and was outed for three matches for striking the Kangaroos Daniel Harris in the elimination final. He is carrying 40.78 demerit points.

Besides Crawford, Hodge, Grant Birchall and Campbell Brown are carrying enough demerit points to make a significant difference should they be charged by the match review panel in 2008.

Overall, the club with the worst disciplinary record in 2007 was Fremantle. The Dockers started badly, with Michael Johnson and Jeff Farmer suspended for four and six matches, respectively, in the pre-season, and continued in the same vein.

Fifteen Dockers were reported on a total of 26 charges, nine of them being punished with a suspension.

Hawthorn and Collingwood were the only other clubs with a double-figure number of players charged. Each had 10. Collingwood's figure was inflated by five players being charged out of the melee in its game against Carlton.

Steven Baker copped the year's heaviest penalty, the St Kilda tagger receiving seven games for rough conduct against Farmer in round 20. Farmer, six matches for eye gouging Daniel Pratt in the pre-season competition, and Ben Johnson, six for forceful and high contact on Daniel Bell in round 20, were next.

[Big Ronnie]

He may be Hawks2009, but our scoop with selection 18 in 2008 will be um well..I already told you.:(

BR:thumbsu:

[Hawks2009]

Thanks BR, Glad to have the Birch as my man for 08.

[philhawk]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23167598-23211,00.html

Birchall at home with the Hawks
By Daryl Timms
February 06, 2008
THERE'S nothing like home and Grant Birchall reckons he's got two of them - Hawthorn and Tasmania.

Hawthorn's agreement with the Tasmanian government to play home games at Aurora Stadium worked perfectly for Birchall when the Hawks swooped on him in the 2005 national draft.

He gets to live and play the majority of his football in Melbourne, but gets home every few weeks to see family and friends and play footy when the Hawks have a Tassie "home" game.

Birchall, back in his home city of Devonport to help host a footy clinic as part of Hawthorn's community camps, said he wouldn't change anything about his football career at the moment.

"It's always nice to come back home, especially with family and friends," Birchall said.

"As far as the footy, goes I've really been lucky with the Tassie connection. It's worked out well. To get drafted by Hawthorn and then be able to play games back here, it couldn't have worked out better.

"There's the Tassie connection, a young group and a great club that is on the rise and it is just fantastic to be part of it at the moment."

Keen to keep a low profile, Birchall quietly set about trying to play as many games as he could in just his second season with the club last year.

He more than accomplished his goal, playing every game as the Hawks made the finals for the first time since 2001.

An unlikely finals victory against Adelaide followed by a 33-point loss to the Kangaroos left Birchall and his teammates knowing what is required this year.

"But we really haven't put a limit on where we would like to finish. Obviously, every team at this time of the year aims for the finals," Birchall said.

"We just want to keep on improving and winning as many games as we can and really just keep getting better because we still have a very young list."

Meanwhile, Hawthorn yesterday launched their first clash jumper in Hobart.

Featuring the club's new logo, the guernsey will be worn against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in round 21 and in selected NAB pre-season games.

[Hawks2009]

Grant Birchall's Stats v Sydney. NAB cup Round 1

11 Kicks
8 Hand Balls
5 Marks
1 Tackle
1 Goal
3 inside 50's

Highlight: A superb tackle on the wing with only a few mins left, and great 2nd effort to take the ball out of play. If not for that piece of play, Sydney would taken the ball down field into their 50 and could have taken the lead.

Game rating: 8/10. Solid game from Birch, should be named in the best. Good strong running out of defence. Good to see him push forward and get himself a goal.

[Hawks2009]

Grant Birchall's Stats v Melbourne. Round 1

10 Kicks
13 Hand Balls
4 Marks
3 Tackles
8 Contested Pos.
13 Unconstesed Pos.
86.96% Efficiency
1 Clanger
4 Centre Clearences
1 Inside 50
2 Rebound 50's

Highlight: Deffinately his centre clearence work. With Hodge, Lewis and Crawf missing he stood up and shows he has what it takes to play in the midfield.

Game rating: 7/10. Good game from Birch, named in the best. Good to see him getting a run through the midfield. Showing his worth with 4 centre clearences. 20 of his 23 disposals were effective which is why his team mates like giving he the ball. Also great to see him have 8 contested possessions.

[Hawks2009]

Grant Birchall's Stats v Fremantle. Round 2

12 Kicks
7 Hand Balls
5 Marks
1 Tackles
4 Contested Pos.
16 Unconstesed Pos.
86.47% Efficiency
1 Clanger
1 Centre Clearences
1 Inside 50
0 Rebound 50's
2 One percenters

Game Rating: 6.5/10 Not in the best this week but still played well. Once again his efficiency was first class. Only Gilham (100%) and Ladson (94.44%) were above him in this department. Only 1 inside 50 and no rebound 50's are a little disappointing as it says he isn't working up and down the ground enough IMO.

[noosa hawk mad]

Team ethos has Hawks humming: Birchall
http://hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/...x?newsid=61708 (http://hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=61708)http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20F-J/Birchall_b.jpgGrant Birchall runs out of defence for the Hawks






THIS week Lance Franklin became the second Hawks’ star to be ruled out of Brownlow contention after he followed skipper Sam Mitchell’s lead and accepted an AFL reprimand for rough conduct. According to defender Grant Birchall, it is that kind of team-oriented decision that is gaining Franklin the respect of teammates and reinforcing the club ethos.

“Personally it would be a bit disappointing for both Sam and Buddy, but in saying that the team comes first and we really need them out there, particularly with some of the key injuries that we’ve had this year", said Birchall

"We’re just happy that he’s (Franklin) got off and he can play this week. It’s great to see those guys making those team decisions. Obviously Sam being captain -- he has to set a really good example for all the other players.”

Now that his two teammates have been ruled out of Brownlow contention, Birchall believes that Crows midfielder Scott Thompson is where the smart betting money is heading.

“Scotty Thompson from Adelaide has polled pretty well in the past and I think he’s having an exceptional year, so he’s a good one to get on.”

But he doesn’t doubt that his skipper could have been in line for Brownlow honours were he not ruled out.

“Sam poles really well. He’s under the umpire’s nose I guess. He could have been every chance.”

The prominence of midfielders when it comes to polling Brownlow votes is something Birchall admits is acknowledged by most defenders in the competition.

“The defenders aren’t the flashiest sort of players. The forwards kick the goals, the midfield set it up so they generally get the glory … we do have a joke about that.”

That’s not the only defender’s theory that Birchall subscribes to. He’s also agrees with the classic stereotype of certain personalities thriving in certain positions on the field.

“The forwards are pretty out there. They love the crowd and all that sort of stuff. The midfielders are pretty similar. But us defenders like to think that we’re pretty level headed and we get the job done.

"That’s the thought process from a defender’s point of view.”

But not all defenders conform. According to Birchall, one of his teammates has personality traits more suited to those of a key forward.

“With Trent Croad’s looks and his personality, he’d probably fit in well with the forwards I reckon,” he laughs.

On Saturday the Hawks take on North Melbourne at the MCG, with Birchall quick to admit that his side is expecting the clash to feature the customary fireworks.

“If you look at our last few games there’s always that added bit of spice… there’s always been a bit of a rivalry going with the Kangaroos, going back to the early 70s.”

And despite the two clubs’ last few encounters yielding several suspensions for the Hawks, Birchall insists that coach Alastair Clarkson has not asked his charges to go in with a more measured approach at the weekend.

“We haven’t talked about that stuff at all. We’ll just be focused playing how we want to play and putting our head over the ball.”

A war of words between Hawks’ defender Campbell Brown and North’s Daniel Pratt erupted after the side’s last encounter. Since then Brown’s attempt to become a North Melbourne member has been documented. Birchall, though, is unsure as to whether he’s been successful.

“I’ve no idea whether he’s got his membership form back, no idea,” he laughs.
_

[noosa hawk mad]

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/tabid/4742/Default.aspx?newsid=66034
Birchall bursts onto Hawks Interactive





Hawks Interactive 7:48 PM Thu 21 August, 2008
http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/article_images_hawks/080821_hawksradio246b.jpgGrant Birchall is the feature interview on the Round 21 show.



Grant Birchall proves a favourite amongst the hosts as he shares stories on home-life, Tasmania, and his developing on-field role.

Richard's Rant gets a little close to home for one co-host and blog entries on favourite grounds are shared.

[HawkPatrol]

Birchall is a bloody gun of the competition, and soon everyone from other clubs will stand up and notice him.

Bloody superstar!

[noosa hawk mad]

Bruised Hawks expected to come up





By Catherine Murphy 11:29 AM Mon 08 September, 2008
http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20F-J/t_croad_14_a.jpgA light week on the track is in store for the injured Trent Croad


HAWTHORN will assess a few sore bodies at Waverly today, after its 51-point qualifying victory over the Western Bulldogs left some injury concerns for the club to mull over during its week break.

Defender Trent Croad missed the second half of Friday night's match because of a foot injury while Campbell Brown, already suffering with a lower leg injury, dislocated his thumb.

Grant Birchall (hip), Rick Ladson (shoulder) and Cameron Stokes (thigh) were other additions to the injury list, but assistant coach Ross Smith believes all will be available for the preliminary final in two weeks.

"Croady will have a light week this week," he said. ""They'll all have to be assessed today [but] we're expecting all the guys who have niggles to come up.

"All games you will have four of five players who are sore -- it's finals football."

After a weekend of finals which saw Geelong smash St. Kilda by 58 points, Smith admitted that the reigning premiers deserved heavy flag favouritism.

“I think it’s pretty reasonable and fair to presume that the Cats are still the team to beat. We’ve still got a little bit of work to do… we’re capable on our day of matching it with them but they’re still certainly the side to beat at the moment.”

However Smith insisted that the Hawks would not look past their semi-final against the winners of this Saturday night’s clash between the Saints and Magpies.

“It’s always a bit of a trap to try and look ahead … we certainly have to focus more so on Collingwood and the Saints this weekend.”

[noosa hawk mad]

Rnd21 Hawks Interactive: Grant Birchall

Posted: Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Play Now (http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/Hawksradio2008/%7E5/370807029/rnd21_hawksradio.mp3)
Grant Birchall shares stories on home-life, Tasmania, and his developing on-field role.

[noosa hawk mad]

2008 Best and Fairest!

HAWTHORN
(Peter Crimmins Medal)
Lance Franklin216
Sam Mitchell 177
Luke Hodge 175
Jarryd Roughead 172
Michael Osborne 154
Cyril Rioli 151
Chance Bateman 149
Brad Sewell 148
Grant Birchall 148
Campbell Brown 136

[HawkPatrol]

Should of taken it out. Bloody gun!