Sandringham will hopefully be the final stepping stone to an AFL career for James Hallahan who has recommitted to the Zebras for season 2012.
Hallahan, 20, has spent the last two seasons with the VFL club managing 17 senior games and catching the eyes of many AFL scouts.
The former Dandenong Stingrays product said he believed it was the best place for him to play football next season as he continues his lifelong dream of getting drafted.
“Sandringham is one of the most successful clubs and you always want to be at a club like Sandy,” Hallahan said.
“It is a real positive place at the minute which the new coaching set up and the affiliation with St Kilda and I am looking forward to really pushing myself.
“I need to improve my game to help the team whether that be in the midfield, defence or attack and that is something in which I will be working on.”
Hallahan knows what it takes to make it to the AFL with brother Mitch on Hawthorn’s list and he has had the experience of doing a pre season with each of Richmond and St Kilda in recent years.
“To be around the Riewoldts, the Dal Santo’s it makes you realise what you have to do,” he said.
“It will not be easy but I am hoping 2012 is the year I really put my hand up and get drafted.”
There is no questioning his commitment or passion to the game with Hallahan driving at least one and a half hours three times week to get to training at Sandringham.
“It is a bit of a long drive but it has be to done sometimes,” Hallahan laughed.
Hallahan, a Melbourne supporter as a child said it would be an absolute dream to make the AFL and although he has been overlooked in previous years he is determined to make it hard for recruiters not to call his name out.
“To say you are going to work which involves kicking a footy around and running around with your mates would be fantastic,” he said.
“I hope to improve my game this year so I make it difficult not to get drafted.
“I have played football my whole life and love the game and have a great passion for the game.”
Maybe 2012 will be the year James a takes the next step and joins his brother on an AFL list.
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Troy Snow is an RMIT Journalism Graduate writing these stories for the Sandringham Football Club on a voluntary basis, we would like to thank Troy for giving up his personal time to write this article. We look forward to more from him throughout the year!
Last Modified on 02/02/2012 15:26