DISCARDED Gold Coast midfielder Mitch Hallahan says the Suns focused too much on what he couldn't do, rather than what he could, in his three years at the club.
Hallahan was delisted following the season, finishing with 20 games from his time at Carrara and a mixture of feelings that ranged from frustration to enjoyment.
The 25-year-old says the fire still "burns brightly" to continue his career at AFL level and believes his best football is still ahead of him.
"It's been pretty much every emotion you can think of," Hallahan told AFL.com.au of his time at Gold Coast.
"I think I was challenged as a footballer.
"I was traded up here for my contested ball winning ability, that was always a strength of mine, and the question mark has always been my speed and endurance.
"I was challenged heavily on that by Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) - are you quick enough, can you cover the ground?
"It's a funny way to look at it, keeping a guy out of a side because of his weaknesses and not because of his strengths."
There's no doubt Hallahan can win a hard ball – more than half of his disposals at the top level (in 26 games) for both the Suns and Hawthorn have been contested.
But even when David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara missed all of 2016 and Gary Ablett, Pearce Hanley, Michael Barlow and Michael Rischitelli missed games this season, Hallahan struggled to win a spot.
Hallahan says he worked particularly hard last off-season and his GPS data in 2017 proved he had developed in that area.
Injuries cost him over his three seasons, and after being a NEAFL regular, played three of the final four games at senior level, where he averaged 22 disposals.
"At this stage, the fire is still burning brightly," he said.
Who's hanging up the boots? Keep track of 2017's retirements and delistings
"I'm very keen to keep playing, whether that’s a lifeline from an AFL club or to at least play at the highest level possible.
"I still feel I've got plenty to offer. I'm only 25.
"My best footy is in front of me and not behind me. As long as another club sees that in me, hopefully there's an opportunity to continue my career."
Hallahan said despite Gold Coast's woes, he thought the club could turn the corner quickly, citing the appointment of Eade's successor as crucial to the speed of the rise.
"They need a coach that instils strong values and strong culture – they're such an impressionable and coachable group," he said.
"There's pros and cons to an experienced coach and same to someone that’s untried.
"You need someone that has a gameplan that's modernized, that suits the way the game is going.
"You need someone with a hard edge that can gel the group and make them a bit mentally tougher.
"If they can get the coaching appointment right, they're not far off."
