Alan’s name was drawn by Hawthorn Hawks star Chance Bateman who made a special appearance on the stand, where he was interviewed by Ricoh’s James Fewtrell.

Bateman spoke about the rigours of training and gave a detailed description of a training visit by the Hawks to the Kododa Track in Papua New Guinea (a feat Fewtrell could surely relate to having conquered the course earlier this year), where the team endured a tough workout schedule.

“At one point, our coach thought it was too easy for us, so we were given stretchers to carry, filled with sandbags,” the Hawthorn midfielder said.

The training obviously paid off, with Hawthorn becoming last year’s AFL Premiers.

Bateman has been named as captain of the Hawks side to play in this Sunday night’s twilight game against Melbourne, as part of the AFL’s Indigenous Round celebrations.

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