GOLD Coast recruit Mitch Hallahan says the chance to kick-start his AFL career by cracking into the Suns midfield fuelled his decision to leave back-to-back premier Hawthorn.
Hallahan spent four seasons with the Hawks but played just six games as he struggled to break into their all-conquering midfield.
Speaking for the first time in Suns colours at Metricon Stadium on Thursday, the 22-year-old said it was an opportunity too good to pass up.
Hallahan said despite the Suns still being without a coach to replace Guy McKenna, he backed himself to forge a career at his new club.
"Coming from such an established and successful club, I found it hard to break into what is such an amazing midfield," Hallahan said.
"I'm ready to play, I feel that. I think I can contribute a lot to this Gold Coast Suns midfield."
Hallahan said Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson told him he would be fighting for one position with four or five other players if he stayed at Glenferrie Oval in 2015.
He said a presentation by Suns coaching director Malcolm Blight and assistant coaches Dean Solomon and Andy Lovell convinced him he had a role to play with the super-talented Gold Coast midfield.
"There's no guarantee (he'll play), but I believe if I can put the work in … I can really complement the exciting talent we've got in this midfield," he said.
"I feel I can take the pressure off the (David) Swallows, the (Jaeger) O'Mearas and the (Gary) Abletts, do a bit more of the hard work so they can do their best work on the outside."
Hallahan proved himself a more-than-capable player at the Hawks, winning the JJ Liston Trophy as the VFL's best and fairest in 2013.
He was sporting a moon boot on his left foot after an off-season ankle clean-up, but said it would be off next week and he'd be ready to start pre-season training in the next fortnight.
