Grant Birchall

Grant Birchall (born 28 January 1988) is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL), having played for the Hawthorn Football Club from 2006 to 2019, including four premiership teams.

Grant Birchall
Birchall playing in April 2017.
Personal information
Full name Grant Birchall
Date of birth (1988-01-28) 28 January 1988
Place of birth Devonport, Tasmania
Original team(s) Tassie Mariners (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 14, 2005 national draft
Debut Round 1, 2006, Hawthorn
vs. Fremantle, at Aurora Stadium
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 89 kg (196 lb)
Position(s) Half-Back Flank
Club information
Current club Brisbane Lions
Number 14
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2006–2019 Hawthorn 248 (34)
2020– Brisbane Lions 008 0(0)
Total 256 (34)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 9, 2020.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Career

Early career (2006-2008)

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 Aurora Stadium in his home state, 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 sluggish 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.

Premierships (2008-2016)

Birchall played in his first AFL Premiership in 2008, when the Hawks defeated reigning premiers Geelong. Birchall lost half of his two front teeth in a collision during the match.[1]

In 2012, Birchall had his best season to date. Birchall averaged 23.1 disposals in his 21 games in the Home and Away season with an incredible disposal efficiency of 85%. Birchall was rewarded with his first All-Australian Guernsey.

Injury troubles and trade (2017-present)

Having only missed four of the Hawks’ games over the previous three seasons, Grant Birchall’s durability was struck down in 2017. Birchall managed just five games for the year, first suffering a fractured jaw in round 2 which kept him out for a month. before injuring his posterior cruciate ligament in round 7. Birchall made his return in round 14 before he injured his PCL again the following week, ending his season.

Birchall's poor luck continued through 2018 and he didn't play any football due to a persistent PCL complaint. A late-season push to be available for the finals resulted in an adductor injury.

After 720 days, Birchall made his long-awaited return playing for Hawthorn's VFL affiliate, Box Hill. He had a strong first half with 10 disposals and taking 6 marks before sitting out the second half of the game. Birchall managed the play three games for Hawthorn at the back end of the 2019 season before injuring his hamstring ending his comeback.

Out of contract at the end of 2019, Birchall was asked to shop himself around to see if he could get a better deal than what Hawthorn was willing to offer, Brisbane came up with a deal which he accepted.

Statistics
Statistics are correct to the end of 2019[2]
Legend
 G  Goals  B  Behinds  K  Kicks  H  Handballs  D  Disposals  M  Marks  T  Tackles
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2006 Hawthorn 35163117213630887220.20.110.88.519.35.41.4
2007 Hawthorn 142425292215507153420.10.212.29.021.16.41.8
2008 Hawthorn 142521281266547164440.10.011.210.621.96.61.8
2009 Hawthorn 14190119920740695360.00.110.510.921.45.01.9
2010 Hawthorn 142154231181412114580.20.211.08.619.65.42.8
2011 Hawthorn 142437344226570173380.10.314.39.423.87.21.6
2012 Hawthorn 142314315216531135380.00.213.79.423.15.91.7
2013 Hawthorn 14176224016540581230.40.114.19.723.84.81.4
2014 Hawthorn 142556344247591124330.20.213.89.923.65.01.3
2015 Hawthorn 142243319183502122360.20.114.58.322.85.61.6
2016 Hawthorn 142422318232550147290.10.113.39.722.96.11.2
2017 Hawthorn 145005936952660.00.011.87.219.05.21.2
2018 Hawthorn 140——————————————
2019 Hawthorn 143113527621620.30.311.79.020.75.30.7
Career 248343731492338548714374070.10.112.79.422.15.81.6

Honours and achievements

Team

Individual

Notes
  1. Carter, Paul (28 September 2008). "Hawk Birchall 'gave teeth for Tassie'". The Age.
  2. "Grant Birchall". AFL Tables. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
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