The first for the now four-time premiership player came in the form of kicking goals rather than repelling attacks towards them when he slotted his first major on football's biggest day.

Birchall's goal came 20.02 minutes into the first quarter, after the Hawks had capitalised on a horror turnover from West Coast forward Jack Darling up the field.

The 45-metre accurate shot on the run stretched the Hawks' lead to 13 points after the Eagles had missed two chances in the nine minutes prior and was the Hawks' fourth goal in succession.

Birchall was his usual strong self off half-back, and was one of the few Hawks to not look tired in the latter stages of the second quarter.

He finished with 22 possessions at 81.8 per cent disposal efficiency, with his best work coming in the middle two quarters when he collected 14 of his touches.

Eighteen of his possessions were uncontested, he took seven marks, had one clearance, laid two tackles and had seven score involvements.

He had two rebound 50s and one inside 50, spending the majority of the time as a loose man in defence.

Birchall averages 22 touches and eight marks in his five grand finals.

The 27-year-old played 22 games this season, averaging 23 touches and six marks, only missing games due to an ankle injury in the first half of the year.

Including his four finals, the 216-game player was equal 13th in the league for total uncontested possessions (386), 13th in uncontested possessions per game (17.55), 19th in total effective disposals per game (427) and 14th in disposal efficiency rate per game (85.06 per cent).

His best game was his 31-possession and seven-mark outing against Fremantle in his home state at Aurora Stadium in round 15.

He also collected 30 touches and took five marks in Launceston in round 3 against the Western Bulldogs.

Saturday's triumph sees him join fellow Tasmanian greats Royce Hart, Rodney Eade, Brent Crosswell and Peter "Percy" Jones as four-time premiership players.

Birchall and his premiership teammates will visit Launceston, Hobart and Devonport on Wednesday as part of celebrations in the state.