Promising young Fremantle tall Jack Hannath’s time spent learning the craft of a forward over summer has paid off with his first game for Fremantle this year.
Hannath played mainly as a ruckman in his first two seasons in the AFL after he was taken at pick eight in the 2012 Pre-Season Draft, but has now become a genuine tall target inside 50.
The 200cm South Australian has played 16 AFL games but Saturday’s seven-point win over Gold Coast was his first since Round 3 last year.
Hannath adds string to his bow
Hannath kicked 1.1 in tough conditions against and had 10 touches.
His work in the forward line may give selectors extra incentive to continue playing the young tall who is part of Fremantle’s strong ruck brigade of Aaron Sandilands, Zac Clarke and Jon Griffin.
“(Playing forward) has added another string to my bow,” Hannath said.
“Particularly in the pre-season, I spent a fair bit of time working on the forward craft.
“That’s paid off and I can spend a bit more time up there throughout games.”
Hannath has kicked eight goals in six games for Peel Thunder in the WAFL and has won 126 hit-outs.
He said he was glad to push into the AFL team after a number of weeks as an emergency.
“I was really glad to play my first game for the year,” he said.
“Round 3 last year was the last time I played, so it was good to work my way into the team.”
