During Conor Nash's first five years in Australia, he managed just 29 AFL games for Hawthorn.
The 27-year-old admitted himself that there were times when "the doubt creeped in" on whether he could forge a successful career in the foreign sport.
But during his regular stints for reserve side Box Hill in 2021, his senior coach saw untapped potential in the 198cm half-forward, making a role change that would dramatically alter the trajectory of the Irishman's career.
The Box Hill Hawks' coach at the time? Current Hawthorn senior coach Sam Mitchell, who sent the then-burly half-forward into the state-league side's engine room, where Nash would dominate, averaging 18.2 disposals, 5.2 marks and 4.3 tackles per game.
"There were definitely times when the doubt creeped in," Nash told SEN on Wednesday.
"During COVID and 2021, I was playing as a half-forward under Sam [Mitchell] at Box Hill. It's well documented that he was the one who said we need a change here, so why don't we give you a crack in the midfield? It's probably going to suit me as I can use my size in there.
"From there, my career has taken off and in 2022, when he took the reins fully, is when it really started to click."
Nash is now a well-established hard-nosed, defensively oriented midfielder who constantly puts his head over the footy for the Hawks, leading the club in hard gets per game in 2025.
Since Mitchell replaced legendary Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson ahead of the 2022 season, Nash has more than quadrupled his senior appearances, missing only a handful of games through suspension or injury. He hasn't been dropped to the VFL once.
However, despite the consistent centre bounce opportunities under Mitchell's encouragement, Nash admitted that it took nearly a full season to feel comfortable in the midfield role.
"I personally didn't think I belonged in there," Nash said.
"Usually the midfield is where your big stars play, and we had the likes of Jaeger [O'Meara] and Tom Mitchell in there.
"It wasn't until 2023 when a few games in with myself, Newcombe, Day and Worpel were playing together regularly, I felt the results and that the role was for me."
Nash's edge will be needed more often in 2026 with inside bull James Worpel departing, but there's plenty of proof to suggest the County Meath product will provide exactly what the Hawks demand of him.
Hawthorn begin their 2026 pre-season schedule with a match simulation hit out against long-time rivals Geelong on Monday, February 16, at the Kennedy Community Centre.
