Billy Hartung Biography

Billy Hartung, Tom Jeffries, Oscar Junker, Gordon Narrier, Daniel Nielson, and Josh Williams are told by North Melbourne that they won't be offered new contracts for 2019 and beyond.

Billy Hartung says North Melbourne coach Brad Scott has given him a licence for more aggression on the field.

"He's really given me the licence to take the game on, break the lines, link up and give that run and carry," Hartung said.

"I guess coming from Hawthorn there were times I wouldn't back myself and take the game on."

Billy Hartung is on the hunt for a new AFL home after being delisted by Hawthorn.

Hartung played 63 games in his four seasons at Waverley, including 18 games in 2017 when he averaged a career-high 22 possessions.

Hawthorn list manager Graham Wright says Billy Hartung may be traded from the club in the upcoming trade period.

Billy Hartung insists he never considered leaving Hawthorn during the 2016 trade period.

The 22-year-old was one of several Hawks who were unwillingly thrown in the trade mix, as Hawthorn scrambled to satisfy Gold Coast's demands for young gun Jaeger O'Meara.

Hartung was linked with a move to Queensland to join former Hawthorn football boss and new Lions coach Chris Fagan.

"I think it was all rumours," Hartung said.

"There was a fair bit going around last year, a few players were thrown up and my name was one of them.

"I didn't have any talks with [Fagan] at all. I want to stay at Hawthorn because it's a great club."

Billy Hartung suffers more finals heartache after being axed for Hawthorn's qualifying final against Geelong.

Hartung, who was devastated to be dropped for last year's Grand Final triumph, couldn't hold his spot despite booting two crucial goals in the Hawks' thrilling one-point win against Collingwood in round 23.

It's third time unlucky for Hartung, 21. In 2014, he played in round 23 but was then dropped for the Hawks' successful finals campaign.

Having been omitted for Hawthorn's Grand Final line-up, youngster Billy Hartung says he will use the sight of his teammates celebrating a premiership as motivation for next year and beyond.

"I've got to use this to try and build on my career and really move forward," Hartung said.

"I know next year I'm going to put my head down and work extremely hard to be try to be in the position the boys are in today. After seeing them last year and this year, that's where I want to be.

"I want to be on the MCG on the last day of the year and trying to hold up the premiership cup."

Billy Hartung is this year's Grand Final heartbreak story with the Hawthorn youngster making way for Jack Gunston for the Hawks' Grand Final decider against an West Coast.

Billy Hartung signs a new two-year deal with Hawthorn that will keep him at the club until the end of 2017.

"I'm really excited about where the group is going," Hartung said.

"Obviously we've had some good success at Hawthorn the last couple of years and I really want to be a part of that."

Billy Hartung earns the round 7 NAB Rising Star nomination after gathering 26 disposals - which he used at 100 per cent efficiency – and booting a goal from his seven kicks.

"I found a bit of space out there on the weekend," Hartung said.

"That's why I'm in the team; my strength is run and carry. It makes it a lot easier for me to have a lot of great players around to give me the ball and obviously there was a bit of open paddock."

Hartung quit cricket and started competing in triathlons as a teenager to make himself a better footballer.

"It's not one of the most fun sports to do, triathlon – there's a lot of hard work that goes into it, especially training-wise," Hartung said.

"I don't really miss it too much but it was great for my footy. That's where I get my endurance from."

Billy Hartung makes his AFL debut for Hawthorn at the MCG with 26 disposals (16 kicks and 10 handballs), 6 marks, 3 tackles and a goal in a 145-point win over St Kilda.

Isaac Smith outruns beep-test stars Billy Hartung and Bradley Hill to win the club's first pre-season 2km time-trial at Box Hill City Oval.