When he arrived with Pick 3 in the 2006 Draft, Hansen became a much maligned swingman. However in the past two seasons, he’s developed into a standout defender, after encountering common challenges for key-position players.
“It’s taken me six or seven years to get my body to the AFL standard of a key position player and be able to be strong enough in the contest and not get pushed around,” Hansen told NMFC.com.au.
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“Probably early days, I was getting pushed around. It’s not that I wasn’t trying…I was trying my heart out…but now I feel like my body’s big enough and strong enough to compete with everyone.”
To illustrate that point, Hansen looked across the border at one of Port Adelaide’s most important players.
“Other players are in the same boat as me. Justin Westhoff is a good example. He came in as a skinny bloke like me and took his four to five years to get big and strong enough.
“Even against Carlton how well he played he shows that it does take time. When we get big and strong enough we can play some decent footy.”
“You can’t just go in the gym one day and put on 10 kilos to be strong enough to compete. I’m finally there now.
Hansen's shape has changed since being drafted
“I’ve got full confidence in my body now to be able to match it with any big power forward in the game. Early days I’d get pushed off the ball a little too easy.
“It’s probably showed in the last couple of years that I’ve been playing some consistent footy and hopefully for the next few years it’ll continue.”
Reflecting on his milestone, the laid-back number six made it clear how much 100 games meant.
“I’m pretty proud to be able to say I’ve played 100 games of AFL footy. My family would be pretty proud as well.
“To play it for North Melbourne as well who are such a good club, I’ll get my name on the locker now and I’m going to hold it pretty close to my heart.”
