Photo: The Sporting WALL
Travis Chalk-Hatton is a big man.
While yes if taken at face value, that may not prove to be the most astute observation about the towering utility forward/centre-half, who has only recently returned to competitive action with Box Hill United, his second game coming in the 2-0 loss to Werribee City.
It is however big of him to admit and freely discuss the downfalls that lead to his departure from Richmond SC, having only signed for the club at the start of the season.
A series of commanding performances last year at Wembley Park – where he secured a return of nine goals from 23 appearances in 2015 – as well as some good displays against Richmond helped him secure a move to Rick Mensink’s promoted outfit.
However he found himself behind the 8-ball almost immediately, as his pre-season was hampered due to surgery performed in December, leaving the utility out of action for almost three months.
While other factors may have played their role in Chalk-Hatton’s premature departure from Richmond, he admits his injury woes did play their role in his inconsistent stint in the Victorian top-flight.
“I think I need to look at it in a big perspective. I had surgery at the start of the year so it was always going to be a bit tough for me to break into a new squad,” Chalk-Hatton said.
“I didn’t have a very good pre-season, the surgery was in December so I didn’t start moving until the end of February. It just wasn’t working out so I wanted to come back here. I had a successful year here and obviously have a good relationship with the coach and the club.
“I always feel like part of the extended family here so when things weren’t going well personally for me at Richmond – I just started a new job as well as personal commitments – I just felt like coming back here was right for me.”
Chalk-Hatton was unable to find the back of the net in his four starts for Richmond, nor in his four sporadic appearances off the bench either.
Since making the return to Box Hill however, he has played every minute in the league since re-registration in the mid-season transfer window, but shaking off the cobwebs proved a harder task than expected versus Moreland Zebras last weekend.
“It’s funny, I haven’t felt too bad playing the full 90’s, but after last week, I felt like I was hit by a bus,” he joked.
“The body pulled up pretty sore but I guess the first one is always the hardest one. I’m pretty stoked to be getting the full 90 under the belt.
“That’s the third one I’ve had since the surgery. Body is feeling good.”
Chalk-Hatton looked a strong composed figure leading the line against Werribee and although he didn’t find the back of the net, he came close, with only a foul on the opposition goalkeeper preventing an injury time knock in from counting.
He also provided his teammates with a number of decent opportunities as well as nodding just wide with an early headed attempt on goal.
He was pragmatic in the assessment of his performance, admitting there was plenty of improvement still to come as he builds match fitness.
“I would have liked to get on the ball a bit more,” he said.
“I had a couple of poor touches but I’m running hard. I probably should have a few more shots as well but the boys, we’ve just got to keep our heads up and keep fighting for it.
“We’ve had a bad run over the last three weeks but we’re in the top half for a reason, so we just need to get back to that fighting form.”
Part of that will be the re-building of camaraderie between Chalk-Hatton and what is a relatively new-look squad, with five players having departed the squad this window on top of the new players brought in since the start of the season.
“There has been a bit of a turnover but I guess I’ve been training here for the last six weeks so you get to see how the boys play.
“It does take some adjustment, working out which players are good with their left or good with their right and you’re not too sure which side they’re going towards.
“But it’s exciting to work with new players as well so you learn a few things off everyone.”