Chance Bateman Biography

Chance Bateman joins West Coast as a development coach and with the club's indigenous players in welfare

"I think it's a great thing if any past indigenous players or those in the game now are thinking about what they want to do post-career and see myself, Roger and Xavier in coaching," Bateman said.

"If they can see there is a pathway there and it inspires them, then it's not too dissimilar to the past indigenous players who went before me as players.

"I wanted to pursue the AFL as a player because of the guys I admired and idolised as a young fella growing up. We could act as that inspiration for (budding) indigenous coaches."

West Coast adds former Eagle Matt Rosa and Hawthorn premiership player Chance Bateman to its coaching panel.

Rosa will be in charge of stoppages and structures, while Bateman will be the forward line development coach.

Nathan van Berlo, who previously held the role Rosa has taken up, has become the midfield coach.

Hawthorn premiership midfielder Chance Bateman has announced his retirement after 177 games.

"The last couple of years have been a little bit frustrating. Last year I had trouble with a calf and ankle, this year I had AC surgery," Bateman said.

"As you get older these sort of injuries and surgery get harder and harder to get over and it's something all footballers go through.

"If you can just look back and be proud of what you have accomplished over the journey, it makes it a little bit easier to say goodbye."

Bateman is the first indigenous player to reach 100 games in the brown and gold and to be awarded life membership of the club.

"We didn't have a very good history of indigenous players so it was a little bit tough being the only one early on," Bateman said.

"So to accomplish some of things I have, playing 100 and 150 games and being the first indigenous player to captain the side ... that sort of stuff fills me with a lot of pride.

"They are really special milestones for me and now our club has embraced indigenous players just as good as any club."

One of the heroes of Hawthorn's 2008 premiership, Chance Bateman, admits this year could be his final season at AFL level.

"I'm contracted until the end of this year, and I suppose whether I go around again or not will depend on how the season goes, and also how the body holds up," Bateman said.

"But I haven't made any plans, and I haven't really thought about it too much to be honest."

Chance Bateman will be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain against the Western Bulldogs.

"He's got a high grade ankle sprain, so he's going to miss some weeks, maybe up to four to six," Hawthorn general manager of football operations Evans said.

"It could be quicker than that, but given we're right smack bang in the middle of the season, we'll respect that and he'll be ready when he's ready."

Hawk Chance Bateman says Lance Franklin is not worried about the treatment he receives from umpires despite Hawk coach Alastair Clarkson voicing his disapproval at the way the star forward had been treated.

"Lance isn't one to worry about the umpires," Bateman said.

"It all evens out, you'll get some good decisions and get some bad ones, that's footy."

Chance Bateman says Lance Franklin is feeling pressure to recapture last year's stunning form.

"If you compare it to last year, I think you're going to be disappointed most years," Bateman said.

"Last year was an outstanding year for him and I don't think there's been many full-forwards in the game who've been able to repeat that sort of effort.

"He definitely puts pressure on himself, he knows that he's important to us and he likes to take that challenge on himself, so he does get a bit disappointed in himself sometimes but that's part of being the player he is."

Hawthorn has named midfielder Chance Bateman as its captain for Sunday's twilight game against Melbourne, as part of the AFL’s Indigenous Round celebrations.