WHEN Vic Country coach Rob Hyde describes Mitch Hallahan as “a real hard nut”, it’s an unerringly accurate assessment in more ways than one.
Hallahan, captain of the successful Vic Country team and named as ruck rover in the All Australian team, is a two-time State Under 17 light heavyweight boxing champion.
It’s a discipline Hallahan pursued when he was 14 and he credits it for much of his on-going football success.
Hallahan said since he began boxing his confidence had soared, especially on winning one-on-one contests.
“It’s given me confidence in myself, my abilities and know what I’m capable of,” he said.
“I was a bit curious as to what boxing was and whether it could help my football and my strength. It’s really helped me become the player I am today.”
Hallahan said boxing provided great discipline, mental strength and character, all attributes that he has been able to apply to his football.
He added that aerobically he is able to run out games much stronger than before he stepped into the ring.
Asked about Hyde’s assessment, Hallahan replied: “That’s how I like to go about my football.
“It’s up to others to gauge how they see it, but I just want to be as hard and as tough and as physical as I can be,” Hallahan said.
Hallahan said the role given to him by Hyde was to provide some midfield presence, show leadership and provide a driving force around the stoppages.
“I just wanted to set the standard,” Hallahan said.
While Vic Country did not enter the Championships as favourites, Hallahan said the squad never wavered in its belief they could play well against any of its rivals.
“We were confident we could go places as we knew we had a pretty talented list, but the focus drilled into us by the coaching staff was to take it one game at a time,” he said.
“We prepared ourselves for a big six weeks. We gave each opponent the respect they deserved and just focused on them rather than looking too far ahead.”
Last year, Hallahan played three games for Vic Country as a bottom age player. He wanted to improve upon that mark this year and become a key contributor to the team’s success.
The Dandenong Stingrays leader averaged 20 possessions per match as well as five tackles and his hardness at the contest paved the way for his teammates.
Gaining All Australian honours was something Hallahan devoted no energy on. “My thoughts were with my team and doing all the right things by the team.
“Winning the Championship was our driving force not personal accolades,” Hallahan said.
“To win the Championships meant a lot even for the coaching staff. I understand it was the first Championship for ‘Hydey’ (coach Rob Hyde), it really meant something to them and all the players.
“There was about 35 players who played for Vic Country and for every one of us it is something we will always remember. It is really special to share the National Championship with those blokes.”
Last Modified on 18/08/2010 11:53