What Can Mabior Chol Bring To Hawthorn?

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

There may not be a more interesting case at the moment then Mabior Chol. After a dream 2022 debut season in Gold Coast saw him kick 44 goals, Chol struggled to stay in a struggling Suns team this season, only playing ten games. It makes sense why the South Sudanese international wanted to find his third club, and his wish was granted as he was traded to Hawthorn.

About to enter his ninth season in the league, Chol has struggled for consistent footy every season bar 2022. He only played one game for his first three years with the Tigers and was in and out of the side in his last three years, playing nine, eleven and ten games before moving to Gold Coast.

It was up north where Chol found form, as he played every game of the Suns 2022 campaign and kicked 44 goals, the most our of any player for Gold Coast that year. Surprisingly to many, Chol failed to replicate that form this season and only played eight games for a struggling Suns side.

However, Chol did finish the season well; he played the Suns final two games of the season and kicked three goals, and then kicked a team high four goals in the 2023 VFL Grand Final, which the Gold Coast reserves won over the Werribee Tigers.

Above: Mabior Chol with teammate Leonardo Lombard after winning the 2023 VFL Grand Final. Chol kicked a team-high four goals during the match.

Adding to a forward line consisting of Luke Bruest, Mitchell Lewis and the recently acquired Jack Ginnnivan, Chol will be hoping to re-find his form in the gold and brown. While he can be used as a key forward, Chol also can play ruck when called upon, and his versatility may just make him a key player in Sam Mitchell's side.

Chol joins the Hawks on a four year deal, with a trigger to extend a fifth year in 2028.