AFTER the disappointment of missing last year’s grand final, young gun Billy Hartung is ready to make 2016 his own. 

The 21-year-old is entering his third year at Hawthorn, and with 27 games under his belt already, will be looking to become a permanent fixture of the senior side this season.

Hartung will have the perfect opportunity to impress this weekend.

A big pre-season has the hard-running midfielder fit and firing ahead of 2016 – and has helped him earn selection to take on rivals Geelong.

“I know the boys are really excited about the games coming around, and so am I – I can’t wait to get into the game on Monday,” Hartung said.

“It’s exciting at the moment that there’s lots of spots up for grabs, and I’m in the same position as a lot of the younger boys who are really putting their hand up for a game.

“I played alright in the NAB Challenge games. In the last game I had limited game time with a bit of a niggle, which was disappointing. But we had an intra club game on Monday and I had a good hit-out then, so I’m feeling pretty good for the game.”

With pace to burn and a penetrating right boot, Hartung’s outside skills are well known.

But it’s his inside work he’s been out to improve over the off-season.

“There’s always that focus for me on my contested ball and my aggression around the ball,” Hartung said.

“It’s an area I’m really trying to work at and feel like I’ve improved this pre-season – but obviously I’ve got to keep improving.”

The Hawks will take on a Cats side which also boasts a strong on-ball brigade, but Hartung said his side would focus on its own game.

“They’ve had a few big recruits come across, but we just worry about ourselves and what we can control – our game style and the way we want to play,” he said.

“We just want to come out there on Monday, have a red hot crack and see how we go.”