In just over six months, you’ve moved from Tasmania as a high-flying forward and apprentice electrician, and now you’re about to play your first AFL match with Melbourne. Has it been a whirlwind ride?
JH: It’s gone pretty quick actually. The pre-season flew through and now we’re into round 11. But I’ve been enjoying it a lot and I finally get an opportunity to play in the AFL this week, so I can’t wait.
Playing for Casey against Bendigo Bombers on May 15, you kicked three goals and had 19 touches. Casey coach Brad Gotch rated you best-on-ground that day. How much did that performance help you get to where you are now?
JH: It did. It came down to my work-rate. I was working up the ground and deep and it gave me a lot of confidence. My fitness level has been the best it’s ever been, so it’s given me the confidence to work up and back, plus kick a few goals. I’m trying to make the most of my opportunities as a deep forward.
You’ve been an emergency for the past two rounds. What was it like being on the cusp of selection?
JH: Being an emergency a couple of times and getting to be in the rooms with the boys has been good. It’s been great seeing how they prepare for an AFL game. It’s really given me an insight.
And you’ve been an emergency with Max Gawn, who is also debuting with you tonight. Have you guys formed a closer bond in recent weeks?
JH: Yeah, I’ve been hanging around with Maxy pretty closely in the past couple of weeks - we’ve been an emergency together and we’ve got to walk out on the MCG, but not played. Now we’re debuting together, which is great and we’re both very excited.
Last year, you weren’t a smoky, but there wasn’t as much scrutiny on you leading up to last year’s NAB AFL Draft. How many clubs sounded you out before Barry Prendergast called your name out last November?
JH: I spoke to a few clubs towards the end of the year. But Melbourne was the most persistent and I was the most confident with them, if I was going anywhere. Luckily enough, I got picked up and I’m really happy that they chose me. I’m really happy I’m here.
You’re 20 years old, turning 21 later this month. As a mature-age draftee, did you ever give up your dream of playing at the highest level?
JH: Being 20, I thought my AFL chances were more over than being picked up. But I decided to make the change last year from playing local level to state-wide league in Tasmania. I thought I’d give it one more crack and I managed to put together a good season with Hobart last year. Then I managed to get picked up at the end of last year, so it’s been good.
Among the AFL fraternity, you became a YouTube sensation, based on some of your spectacular marks taken for Hobart last year. What was that like?
JH: It wasn’t too bad. I found out late about it before I got drafted. Hutch TV put it together and I wasn’t aware it was on there until a few mates told me. I had a look at it and it was pretty funny.
How has the Tassie connection been for you with Brad Green and Col Garland also at the club?
JH: It’s been good. Having those two here was fantastic. I moved in with Garlo to start with, which made it a lot easier. It was good for me. They’ve been really good.
Have you got any family members coming across from Tasmania to watch your first AFL match?
JH: Yeah, I’ve got my Mum, Dad and brother, who are from Dodges Ferry, plus a few other family members and friends, so it’ll be good to catch up with them. Hopefully we can get a win for the family, so that’ll be good.
What can’t you wait to experience on debut?
JH: Just the build-up. Friday night live is always good. It’ll be great running out with big Gawny as well. We’ve walked out onto the ground a couple of hours before the game and to see all the lights turned on - it just makes you feel really good, but with a nervous feeling. To run out and hear the siren in front of a big crowd will be great. I’m really looking forward to it.
JH: It’s gone pretty quick actually. The pre-season flew through and now we’re into round 11. But I’ve been enjoying it a lot and I finally get an opportunity to play in the AFL this week, so I can’t wait.
Playing for Casey against Bendigo Bombers on May 15, you kicked three goals and had 19 touches. Casey coach Brad Gotch rated you best-on-ground that day. How much did that performance help you get to where you are now?
JH: It did. It came down to my work-rate. I was working up the ground and deep and it gave me a lot of confidence. My fitness level has been the best it’s ever been, so it’s given me the confidence to work up and back, plus kick a few goals. I’m trying to make the most of my opportunities as a deep forward.
You’ve been an emergency for the past two rounds. What was it like being on the cusp of selection?
JH: Being an emergency a couple of times and getting to be in the rooms with the boys has been good. It’s been great seeing how they prepare for an AFL game. It’s really given me an insight.
And you’ve been an emergency with Max Gawn, who is also debuting with you tonight. Have you guys formed a closer bond in recent weeks?
JH: Yeah, I’ve been hanging around with Maxy pretty closely in the past couple of weeks - we’ve been an emergency together and we’ve got to walk out on the MCG, but not played. Now we’re debuting together, which is great and we’re both very excited.
Last year, you weren’t a smoky, but there wasn’t as much scrutiny on you leading up to last year’s NAB AFL Draft. How many clubs sounded you out before Barry Prendergast called your name out last November?
JH: I spoke to a few clubs towards the end of the year. But Melbourne was the most persistent and I was the most confident with them, if I was going anywhere. Luckily enough, I got picked up and I’m really happy that they chose me. I’m really happy I’m here.
You’re 20 years old, turning 21 later this month. As a mature-age draftee, did you ever give up your dream of playing at the highest level?
JH: Being 20, I thought my AFL chances were more over than being picked up. But I decided to make the change last year from playing local level to state-wide league in Tasmania. I thought I’d give it one more crack and I managed to put together a good season with Hobart last year. Then I managed to get picked up at the end of last year, so it’s been good.
Among the AFL fraternity, you became a YouTube sensation, based on some of your spectacular marks taken for Hobart last year. What was that like?
JH: It wasn’t too bad. I found out late about it before I got drafted. Hutch TV put it together and I wasn’t aware it was on there until a few mates told me. I had a look at it and it was pretty funny.
How has the Tassie connection been for you with Brad Green and Col Garland also at the club?
JH: It’s been good. Having those two here was fantastic. I moved in with Garlo to start with, which made it a lot easier. It was good for me. They’ve been really good.
Have you got any family members coming across from Tasmania to watch your first AFL match?
JH: Yeah, I’ve got my Mum, Dad and brother, who are from Dodges Ferry, plus a few other family members and friends, so it’ll be good to catch up with them. Hopefully we can get a win for the family, so that’ll be good.
What can’t you wait to experience on debut?
JH: Just the build-up. Friday night live is always good. It’ll be great running out with big Gawny as well. We’ve walked out onto the ground a couple of hours before the game and to see all the lights turned on - it just makes you feel really good, but with a nervous feeling. To run out and hear the siren in front of a big crowd will be great. I’m really looking forward to it.
