When looking for a mentor, most players seek out a veteran to impart their wisdom but Mitch Honeychurch has latched onto a more relatable figure in Nathan Hrovat.

The highs and lows associated with a debut season of football are fresh in Hrovat’s mind and Honeychurch, being of similar size and stature, has found the second year recruit is brimming with knowledge.

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“I always try to grab Nath whenever I can, because he is sort of in the same position as me,” Honeychurch said.

“He’s a second year player and I am a first year player and I like to compare myself to him and we have a fair crack out there.

“We are the same height, the same weight and we play in the same position.”

The competitive spirit in the two young Bulldogs often comes to light when they go head to head but off the track Hrovat is happy to share the tips and tricks he has learnt along the way to help his teammate improve.  

“He’s told me a few things to get on top of and he has been fantastic in my development,” he said.

“I am able to gain as much knowledge as I can from him and even though it is only 12 months ahead of me, he just seems to know so much more.”

Honeychurch has also been working closely with Senior Coach Brendan McCartney and forward line Assistant Coach Shannon Grant, tapping into their extensive knowledge. 

“I’ve had a fair bit to do with Macca one-on-one and a fair bit to do with Shagga in the forward line as well, their coaching is amazing,” he said.

“They are not always like ‘just have a crack, have a crack’, they have got a lot of finesse about them.

“I am just trying to gain as much knowledge as I can off them.”

The appeal of match practice and a possible NAB Challenge debut is enticing for Honeychurch, but he knows he won’t be gifted a debut game unless he earns it.

“[I’m] pretty happy to get stuck into match simulation pretty soon and see what happens in NAB Cup,” he said.

“I might not be playing, I might be playing, I’ll just put my best foot forward and keep developing my game.”