Hanegraaf eyes perfect finish to Country campaign

GEELONG Falcons midfielder Charlie Hanegraaf says he’ll treat Sunday’s AFL under-18 National Championships clash with Victoria Metro like a grand final as Victoria Country looks to finish the carnival on a high.

The 17-year-old has played two of Country’s three matches, averaging 17.5 disposals and a goal a game after fulfilling a long-held ambition of representing the Big V.

“I can’t wait,” Hanegraaf said. “It’s pretty much my grand final, to be honest.”

Missing out on Victoria Country selection at under-16 level only fuelled Hanegraaf’s determination to earn a place in this year’s squad.

“When I missed out in under-16s, I got to work,” he said.

“I’ve met lots of boys and made stronger connections with so many different kids and it’s been a great experience that I’ll cherish forever.”

He said the championships had exposed him to a faster level of football and credited Falcons coach and Country assistant Paul Corrigan with helping him adapt.

“It moves so quick,” he said.

“You’ve just got to go and you’ve got to transition quick and if you don’t, you won’t get near [the ball].

“I’ve done a lot of vision and stuff with [Corrigan] and he’s taught me a lot about starting positions and how to get yourself involved early on and when I roll forward, what to do.

“He’s helped massively for my development.”

With this year’s AFL draft looming, Hanegraaf said he was focused on improving his football rather than outside expectations.

“I play footy because I enjoy it – it’s fun – so I try to keep all that stuff away from me and just try develop my personal game,” he said.

“Wherever it goes, it goes, but in the end, I’m trying to make myself better and that’s all I really focus on.”

Victoria Country takes on Victoria Metro at Mars Stadium in Ballarat from noon on Sunday.