Tenacious on and off the field since arriving at the Club six months ago, Mitch Honeychurch has not wavered in his attempt to improve, and people have started noticing.
Working closely with the Western Bulldogs strength and conditioning staff, the small forward has added size in the pre-season and is now learning how to best transfer that out on the field.
“I’ve put on I think five or six kilos since November – so I’m really feeling it out on the field,” Honeychurch said.
“Andy [Barnett]… our Strength Coach, is really trying to implement running technique out there and transfer out.
“It’s been a pretty big gym program throughout the pre-season but I guess I’m reaping the benefits.”
The 19-year-old looked composed among the bigger bodies when given his first taste of senior football playing against Fremantle in the NAB Challenge, capping his performance with a goal.
Honeychurch was grateful for the experience and uses it as motivation to get the best out of himself in the gym and out on the track.
“[It’s] probably just the professionalism and the intensity of the NAB [Challenge] when I did play, I’ve never experienced anything like that,” he said.
“To actually get out and experience AFL or NAB [Challenge] it’s just fantastic and I guess I’ll never forget that.
“There’s a lot of work to do on the track and in the gym and hopefully I get stronger and really enhance my footy.”
Hitting the scoreboard with regularity in the VFL, Honeychurch has excelled in a high half forward role and has been waiting patiently in the wings for his senior debut.
While nothing is guaranteed in football, the 2013 draftee said he would continue working hard to press for selection and trying to better himself in the VFL.
“Once you come back [from the bye] it’s just straight back to business and I think just keep putting my craft in place and try to get a gig in the senior team,” he said.
