- Grant Birchall
Infobox afl player | firstname = Grant
lastname = Birchall
image
birthdate = birth date and age|1988|1|28|df=y
birthplace =
originalteam = Devonport,Tasmania U/18
heightweight = 192cm / 92kg
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 1, 2006
debutteam = Hawthorn
debutopponent = Fremantle
debutstadium =Aurora Stadium
playingteams = Hawthorn (2006-)50 games, 5 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = R10, 2008
careerhighlights =
*All Australian U/18
*Harrison Medal 2005
*AFL Rising Star Nominee round 14 2005
*6th inAFL Rising Star Award
*Best First Year Player (Hawthorn)
*Grant Birchall is an
Australian rules football player for theHawthorn Football Club in theAustralian Football League .Birchall had an exceptional first season in 2006 with the Hawthorn, playing 16 games out of a possible 22. The Tasmanian was chosen at pick 14 in the
2005 AFL Draft and made his debut in the number 35 guernsey in Hawthorn's opening match of the season against Fremantle at, ironically, Aurora Stadium in Tasmania. All year, Birchall excelled across half-back for the Hawks, mainly highlighted by an impressive 23 touches in the big loss to St Kilda in round 13 and 27 touches and 10 marks in a sloggish win against the Kangaroos in round 21. To finish off the season, Birchall finished off with his best game yet- a massive 36 touches and 11 marks in the 10-goal win against Geelong.At season's end, Birchall came sixth in the NAB AFL Rising Star, won Hawthorn's Best First Year Award and was given the number 14 jumper for the 2007 season, left vacant by Harry Miller, who was delisted by Hawthorn at the end of 2006. Grant Birchall attended St Brendan Shaw College in Devonport, Tasmania.
2007 saw Birchall play every game for Hawthorn, and consolidate his role as a running half-back with poise and neat disposal. Many pundits are expecting the low-key young Hawk to make further progress in 2008, possibly including stints further up the ground.Grant needs to look forward and not back before he handballs.
Birchall played in his first AFL Premiership in 2008, when the Hawks deafeated reining premiers Geelong. Birchall lost half of his two front teeth in a the clash. [http://news.theage.com.au/sport/hawk-birchall-gave-teeth-for-tassie-20080929-4q2j.html]
External links
*Hawplayer|ref=13335
*AflRleague|ref=G/Grant_Birchall.html
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.