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My player focus of the year, in the line of Hrovat and Jones before him, is young Mitch. Those interested in the underage stuff would have heard about him last year, I didn't see him in the flesh, but I follow scribes who did, there are many reports but I've picked scpaige.com.au (as an example) bio from last year as evidence of his worthiness for a dedicated discussion thread before round 1.
Draftees in Focus: Mitch Honeychurch
by Paige Cardona · July 23, 2013
MITCH HONEYCHURCH
Height: 175cm
Weight: 65kg
Team/Club: Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges/Vermont
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Player Comparision: Dayne Zorko
Draft Range: 25-35
Player Profile
He may be small in stature, but this pint-sized beauty is as tough, hard and physical as they come. “Honey” is a born competitor, thrives for the contested football, loves the bash and crash, and doesn’t mind a bit of yapping and push and shove, either. Honeychurch has been a prolific ball-winning midfielder throughout the National Championships where he averaged 25 disposals across his 4 games at the champs, whilst also fittingly taking home Metro’s MVP award, underlining his importance to the team, and the high esteem in which his teammates hold him in. Super talented, and balanced on both sides of his body, Honeychurch has got some serious toe when he takes off, and is calm under pressure, almost always hitting up a target by hand or foot. Perhaps the hallmark of Honeychurch’s game was discovered this year in the Metro system, where he displayed the ability to be incredibly versatile, playing in stints up forward, through the midfield, on a wing and across half back – all of which he excelled at. This however came as no surprise to draft enthusiasts, who are aware of the exceptional vision and awareness Honeychurch possesses, akin to that Dayne Zorko who can sum up situations across the field with ease. Just like Zorko, Honeychurch is a brilliant kick for goal, either on the run or from a set shot (kicking at least 1 goal per game), and is also a brilliant kick when on the attack, whether that be around the ground, or going inside 50. Honeychurch is considered the next best prospect from the Ranges behind Tom Boyd and will add plenty to the club he is drafted to.
Quote
“He is a fantastic young man and one of the hardest working players I have seen come through. I have never seen anyone throw themselves into their rehab more than he did. He is a running machine. He got himself super fit and super strong and its enabled him to play at a level where AFL clubs have to consider him.”
- Eastern Ranges Regional Manager, Anthony Parkin.
Strengths
Work ethic, thrives for a contest, big tackler, running machine, goal kicker, big accumulator of the football, very well balanced on both sides of his body, safe hands, dangerous at ground level, can play in a variety of roles, adds bite and excitement, courageous and physical, wears his heart on his sleeve, passionate, elite kick, huge endurance base, very disciplined during his rehab, lives and breathes football, wins his own ball and an all-round very good clubman.
Weaknesses
Broke his left wrist in the Eastern Ranges Preseason, then returned after a lay off and broke his right lower arm in his first game back. Although they were both clean breaks, there may be some worry about his proneness to injury. Also, at only 65kgs he will need to add some weight to his light frame.
National Championships Stats
Round 1 – 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50’s and 1 goal
Round 3 – 33 possessions, 6 marks, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50’s and 2 goals.
Round 4 – 18 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles and 1 goal
Round 5 – 23 disposals, 6 clearances, 7 tackles, 5 inside-50′s and 1 goal
Averaged 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 5 tackles and 1 goal per game over the National
Carnival
Honours
Vic Metro MVP 2013
All Australian 2013
Draftees in Focus: Mitch Honeychurch
by Paige Cardona · July 23, 2013
MITCH HONEYCHURCH
Height: 175cm
Weight: 65kg
Team/Club: Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges/Vermont
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Player Comparision: Dayne Zorko
Draft Range: 25-35
Player Profile
He may be small in stature, but this pint-sized beauty is as tough, hard and physical as they come. “Honey” is a born competitor, thrives for the contested football, loves the bash and crash, and doesn’t mind a bit of yapping and push and shove, either. Honeychurch has been a prolific ball-winning midfielder throughout the National Championships where he averaged 25 disposals across his 4 games at the champs, whilst also fittingly taking home Metro’s MVP award, underlining his importance to the team, and the high esteem in which his teammates hold him in. Super talented, and balanced on both sides of his body, Honeychurch has got some serious toe when he takes off, and is calm under pressure, almost always hitting up a target by hand or foot. Perhaps the hallmark of Honeychurch’s game was discovered this year in the Metro system, where he displayed the ability to be incredibly versatile, playing in stints up forward, through the midfield, on a wing and across half back – all of which he excelled at. This however came as no surprise to draft enthusiasts, who are aware of the exceptional vision and awareness Honeychurch possesses, akin to that Dayne Zorko who can sum up situations across the field with ease. Just like Zorko, Honeychurch is a brilliant kick for goal, either on the run or from a set shot (kicking at least 1 goal per game), and is also a brilliant kick when on the attack, whether that be around the ground, or going inside 50. Honeychurch is considered the next best prospect from the Ranges behind Tom Boyd and will add plenty to the club he is drafted to.
Quote
“He is a fantastic young man and one of the hardest working players I have seen come through. I have never seen anyone throw themselves into their rehab more than he did. He is a running machine. He got himself super fit and super strong and its enabled him to play at a level where AFL clubs have to consider him.”
- Eastern Ranges Regional Manager, Anthony Parkin.
Strengths
Work ethic, thrives for a contest, big tackler, running machine, goal kicker, big accumulator of the football, very well balanced on both sides of his body, safe hands, dangerous at ground level, can play in a variety of roles, adds bite and excitement, courageous and physical, wears his heart on his sleeve, passionate, elite kick, huge endurance base, very disciplined during his rehab, lives and breathes football, wins his own ball and an all-round very good clubman.
Weaknesses
Broke his left wrist in the Eastern Ranges Preseason, then returned after a lay off and broke his right lower arm in his first game back. Although they were both clean breaks, there may be some worry about his proneness to injury. Also, at only 65kgs he will need to add some weight to his light frame.
National Championships Stats
Round 1 – 23 disposals, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50’s and 1 goal
Round 3 – 33 possessions, 6 marks, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50’s and 2 goals.
Round 4 – 18 disposals, 5 marks, 8 tackles and 1 goal
Round 5 – 23 disposals, 6 clearances, 7 tackles, 5 inside-50′s and 1 goal
Averaged 25 disposals, 4 marks, 4 clearances, 5 tackles and 1 goal per game over the National
Carnival
Honours
Vic Metro MVP 2013
All Australian 2013
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