Football
22 June, 2024
Hansen elevating his game in 2024
Bill Hansen has been influential for Rupanyup in 2024 as a defensive midfielder and is also able to provide run and carry off halfback.
The 27-year-old moved to Rupanyup in 2023, making his debut for the club in round three against the Swifts. He played 12 games that season, getting named in the best on 10 occasions whilst kicking seven goals.
In 2024, he has elevated his game to another level, being named the best in every game as one of the most influential players for the Panthers.
Hansen grew up playing for Corowa-Rutherglen in the Ovens and Murray Football League before he left for University, where he played for Modewarre for two years in the Bellarine Football Netball League.
Following that stint, he played for Moonee Ponds in Melbourne during the Covid years before returning to Corowa-Rutherglen in 2022.
During the 2022 season, Hansen suffered an ACL injury and was out for 11-12 months. During this time, he contemplated hanging up his boots before two friends, Ryan Timmins and Joe Tormey, who played for Rupanyup then, convinced him to head across for the 2023 season.
"Ryan and Joe convinced me to come and play as I wasn't sure what I would do with my football," Hansen said.
"With Brayden Ison as coach, I knew the standard he expected and the player he was, and it was an attractive proposition to play for the Panthers, so I decided to make the move.
"Coming back from the ACL was tough as you are not used to the pace of the game, and I didn't know the players playing for a new team, so it took a while to get used to everything."
When asked what contributed to the elevation of his game this season and if it's the best season of his career, Hansen said it was all about having a full pre-season under his belt and the bond he developed with the players last season.
"I managed to have a full pre-season where I was running three to four nights a week and putting in a lot of hard work, and it's good to see it has been paying off," Hansen said.
"This is the best season I have had. Playing at Corowa-Rutherglen, I was playing on the back flank and struggling to break into the midfield, so Brayden putting his trust in me to give me more midfield minutes has helped me, and swapping off halfback just adds an extra element.
"Having players like Mitch Gleeson in the ruck and Kane Timmins around you makes you a better player."
"My job is to be a more defensive midfielder and nullify the stars from the other sides whilst working back to help the defense and off halfback, provide run and dash."
Hansen noted he still needs to improve on some aspects of his game.
"There are moments where I drift out, so I want to be more consistent at the back end of the year, especially as we push for finals," Hansen said.
"I think the season as a whole for Rupanyup is going well. We are sitting in a good spot on the ladder despite being up and down throughout the season.
"We have struggled to put four quarters together, but we are getting wins, which is important. It would be good to be more consistent, and hopefully that comes."