HAWTHORN premiership defender Matt Spangher says James Frawley's arrival at Waverley has made him more determined to fight for his spot next season.
In the days after last year's Grand Final, the Hawks announced they had lured free agent Frawley from Melbourne on a four-year deal.
The former All Australian defender is likely to slot straight into the Hawks’ backline early next season and – with Brian Lake, Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton entrenched in key posts – Spangher knows it could be his spot that comes under pressure.
But instead of being concerned, the popular Hawk told AFL.com.au he's enjoyed the extra motivation he's received since Frawley's move.
"Absolutely, that's been the nature of my whole career really – I've had to fight for it," Spangher said at last week's AFL Players' Association's induction camp.
"It's strange, I kind of feel comfortable in that position now. I like it. But more than that 'Chips' is a great guy.
"He's fitted really well into the system, which is what we knew about him - and clubs do their research."
Frawley has bolstered an already strong area of the Hawks' squad, which coped admirably while Lake (calf) and Gibson (torn pectoral) were sidelined by long-term injuries last season.
But Hawthorn's midfield will also bat deeper after the signing of former No.2 draft pick Jonathan O'Rourke and, in a clear warning to rivals, Spangher said he was confident the Hawks have improved from last year.
"I think we've gotten stronger, personally, but we haven't spoken about going again in 2015," he said.
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"It's more about the process. It's a bit of a cliché answer but it still rings true. Do the work, get the results, finish top-four and that gives yourself the best opportunity to go again.
"That's all we're doing. The boys have been training the house down which has been really good to see."
Spangher overcame ankle and calf problems to play 15 games last season, the most in any year since he debuted for West Coast in 2008.
Injuries have plagued the 195cm big man throughout his career and he suffered another minor setback this pre-season.
"I've had a bit of a calf niggle that has meant I haven't been as productive as I would have liked," he said.
"Having said that, though, there's still plenty of time to get it right and fortunately it's not too damaging. It's not season-ending or anything like that.
"Given my injury history, the club's been really good in not trying to rush me back and they've certainly tried to pull the reins on me a little bit.
"Sometimes I get on their nerves a bit. I should be back into full training (before the end of January).
"With the later start (to the season) this year there's definitely no rush."
Spangher, who signed a two-year contract extension late in 2014, has seen more ups and downs over his rollercoaster career than most players and he spoke about his experiences to the new intake of draftees at the AFLPA induction camp held last week.
His tale of perseverance struck a chord with the draftees, who Spangher encouraged to throw themselves into their AFL careers and enjoy the good times.
It was a message Spangher himself heeded during the off-season, when he took the time to let Hawthorn's premiership success sink in.
"I've had time to sit down and think about the year that was. But as I alluded to in there (to the draftees), we're pretty quick to move on really," Spangher said.
"You don't get too much time to rest on your laurels, which is good because time waits for no-one.
"I hate to use the expression 'premiership window', but for the lack of a better term we're in that, so you want to win as many as you can."
