Don’t let Mitch Honeychurch’s name deceive you, the way he attacks the contest and commits life and limb to win the ball is anything but sweet.
Officially becoming a Bulldog with pick 60 in Thursday’s AFL Draft, Honeychurch plays in the mould that Senior Coach Brendan McCartney values – thriving on the contest.
“[I am] a hard at it footballer, really love a contest and [I’m] always going to have a crack,” Honeychurch said.
“Just contesting and competing at every single contest and really having a crack and doing the team things.
“As a small player I have to do all the one percenters and the tackling and the pressure acts.”
To complement his attack on the ball, the Eastern Ranges recruit has leg speed to boot and has worked hard on adding more outside dash.
“I think it’s good to have a balance of contested and uncontested possessions – I’ve been working on that with my coaches at Ranges,” he said.
“I would like to work with the midfield and forward coaches and try to implement as much leg speed as I can and use it to that effect.”
Showing strong form throughout the year for the Ranges in TAC Cup and Vic Metro, the small midfielder’s hard work paid off, earning All Australian honours and being named as Metro’s MVP.
Honeychurch refuses to sit still for too long though, working at Bunnings and as a pizza delivery man on top of year 12 and TAC Cup this season – so it is no surprise he is eager to get straight into pre-season training.
“[The Dogs are] obviously very welcoming and I am looking forward to getting stuck into training and meeting all the guys,” he said.
“I’m keen to get straight into it and meet all the guys and all the coaches officially.
“[I’m] pretty overwhelmed at the moment but I think it will start to sink in on Sunday when we start to get into things.”
Grateful for the opportunity in front of him, Honeychurch wants to earn his teammates and coaches respect by working hard and absorb as much information as he can to better himself.
“Obviously make a good first impression and put my best foot forward and show the coaches I am willing to work and willing to work in a team,” he said.
“I just want to learn all I can and zap all the information I can out of the coaches that are going to be teaching me.
“I’m really looking forward to putting the jumper on and getting out there with the boys.”
