Career
Chance Bateman is Hawthorn"s first indigenous player to reach 100 games, first Aboriginal life member, and the club"s longest-serving Washington recruit. Chance learnt his football during his formative years in York and then with Perth in Westar Rules. He was an under 18 all Australian and in the squad for the Westar state side in 1999.
Drafted by Hawthorn at pick 48 in the 1999 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft, the Hawks considered themselves lucky as they thought he would have been picked up earlier.
His light frame made him a longer term prospect as he would require to develop more physically. His early career was interrupted by a variety of injuries.
I"d stay at Hawthorn for as long as they"d have me, they"ve been fantastic for medical You don"t really think too much about the milestones as they"re coming up, but as you pass them you sort of look back with a bit of pride.
I"m our first indigenous life member and to have had a small part in the club"s history is pretty special.
In 2006 he managed to play 21 games and came 12th in the club Best and Fairest award. Chance Bateman was known for his trademark dreadlocks. Chance Bateman was one of Hawthorn"s most valuable players.
His speed and hardness at the ball while playing on the wing allowed the team to play a free flowing brand of game.
He averaged 20 possessions a game in his 21 games in 2006 and was hitting top form just before the 2007 season. His elite speed was recognised and he was named in the 2006 International Rules Series side to tour Ireland.
Bateman said a major career highlight was when he captained the Hawks in an indigenous round victory over West Coast at Launceston in 2007 when the Eagles were led by David Wirrpanda. Chance kicked Hawthorn"s first goal in the 2008 Grand Final.
Bateman had his dreadlocks cut off for charity after the Grand Final victory.
The money was donated to the Rioli Fund, set up to improve Aboriginal health throughout Australia. Along with captain Sam Mitchell, Bateman was the only Hawthorn player to play in all games in 2009. He missed the first game of 2010 because of a one-game suspension for striking Matthew Lloyd of Essendon in the last game of 2009 season.
Bateman was put on Hawthorn"s veterans list in 2011.