MITCH Hannan has no doubt last round’s win over Essendon at Etihad Stadium was his best AFL match so far, but he’s determined to build on his fine performance.

Hannan returned to the side to boot three goals and play a key part in Melbourne’s six-goal win. It was his 22nd AFL game, after playing 20 in his debut season in 2017, and featuring in the opening round this year.

Asked by Melbourne Media if it was his best game so far, he said: “Yeah, I think so.”

“In terms of overall contribution, across four quarters, I think playing primarily as a forward on the weekend, I was able to impact quite evenly across the whole game.

“From a pressure and tackling perspective, as well as being able to hit the scoreboard, I think it was my best game, as an overall performance.

“When you’re sent back to the VFL, you get given a few things to work on. To be able to play one of my better games, in my first game back, gives me a lot of confidence to replicate that on a more consistent basis … while trying to hold my spot and help out as much as I can towards getting further victories.”

Hannan acknowledged it was “a bit of a shock” being out of the AFL team, after being a regular last year.

“It was, because for me it was my first home and away game for Casey, after last year playing predominantly in the AFL side,” he said.

“I think a lot of people go through these experiences – a drop in form, so I think it was time that I earned back my spot.

“[Casey coach] Jade Rawlings played a big part in instilling some confidence in me – he’s always showed a lot of belief in my ability and said that if I can maximise it to my full potential, I can really aspire to be the best footballer I can be, which he thinks is quite good.

“Someone like Jade is definitely a motivating factor for me to continue to improve and in the end, force myself back in the side.”

Hannan said it was “a good thing” that there was competition for spots in the side.

“We have a bit of depth in our list now. Being at the start of the season, a lot of people are fit and firing,” he said.

“I probably struggled with a little bit of form through the JLT [Community Series] and then didn’t have the greatest of games in round one.

“I was sent back to the VFL, and after trying to earn my spot back, I think I’ve done to that to this point.”

Hannan said Melbourne’s options in attack were now one of the side’s strong points.  

“We’ve got a good mixture of talls and smalls that can all play versatile positions,” he said.

“We’ve seen ‘Hoges’ (Jesse Hogan) and Tommy McDonald play further up the ground this year, towards the midfield.

“But having those small guys, and mid-sized guys like myself and the talls – to be able to create a good chemistry up forward allows us to work well together. We can continually change it up for the opposition – and they’re not too sure who is going to be playing down there.”

Hannan said working with another VFL graduate, Bayley Fritsch, was another plus to the side. 

“I actually think we’re different enough to be able to fit in the same side. We’re similar in height and weight, but we’ve both been playing a little bit further up the ground – me occasionally in the midfield and Bayley on the wing,” he said.

“I think that, combined with a half-forward role, we can be versatile enough to fit us both in [the side]. He adds an aerial component – he’s quite good overhead – and then I feel I’m quite good on the ground level.

“As you saw on the weekend, things came off pretty well and we both managed to have a pretty good game, so hopefully we can have more of that going forward.”