Having completed less than one per cent of the pre-season due to a major operation on his groins, Aaron Hall is only just starting to feel confident in his ability to run out games and his football is now prospering.
 
In Saturday night’s QClash 10, Hall produced the finest performance of his 57-game career. The Tasmanian has spent his entire AFL life across half-forward, but in the last fortnight, with a first-choice midfield on the sidelines, he has flourished in the engine room, culminating with a near best on ground effort against the Lions at the Gabba.
 
The 24-year-old collected a career-high 28 possessions, eight inside 50s, five tackles, four rebound 50s and three goal assists. Disposal efficiency has been one area of his game that has hurt him in the past, but he went at an elite 82 per cent against the Lions, cutting the local rivals apart on transition.
 
In the aftermath of his best game at AFL level, Hall revealed that he had been picking the brains of injured captain Gary Ablett on his midfield craft and was thoroughly enjoying his time as an onballer.
 
“I’m really enjoying it. I think I see the game a bit better as a midfielder,” Hall told SUNS RAW following Gold Coast’s 14-point win on Saturday night.
 
“Obviously with the stars we have in there, I haven’t seen too much time but I’m just looking to add another string to my bow and just continue to learn each week.
 
“I’m really actually enjoying it and working closely with ‘Gaz’ throughout the week and he’s given me a few tips and you can’t learn from anyone better, can you?”
 
A summer of no running or drills is far from an ideal scenario and something that caught up with Hall earlier in the year. Now, with a strong patch of football behind him, the solidly-built utility says he is now pain free and covering the ground much better than he has in previous years.
 
“I’m actually starting to feel really fit now. I’m pulling up from games heaps better, my groins are starting to feel really good,” Hall said.
 
“Not playing through that pain, obviously played with that for a long time, but to have free range movement down there, feeling really good and I’m feeling really fit at the moment, I’m actually running out games quite well.
 
“I’ll looked to build on it for the last month of footy and go into the pre-season with a bit of momentum.”