Although they are three games off top spot and have not produced their best for an entire part of a match in 2015 so far, the Hawthorn Hawks still look like a scary movie to me.
They are well placed in fourth spot with eight wins and four losses, while none of their defeats have been by more than 10 points.
However, they can play so much better and that’s what’s so scary about the second half of the season, if and more likely when they hit their straps.
Their best performance was probably Round 1 against Geelong where they obliterated their long-time nemesis after quarter time.
They were pretty clinical against the Bulldogs in Round 3 without being brilliant, but spasmodic in most other appearances with their starts to games the biggest concern.
Those tardy beginnings against Essendon and especially Port Adelaide cost them certain victories.
However, they have now reeled four victories off in a row to again be the team to beat in my mind despite Fremantle’s only loss so far, West Coast’s improvement and Sydney’s fairly solid form despite the horrible second half fadeout against Richmond on Friday night.
Their depth continues to be the envy of most clubs as they more than adequately cover for the loss of key players, with prized recruit James Frawley set to miss another large chunk of the season due to injury.
They still have Brian Lake, Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton down back as their key defenders. Every club in the competition would love that trio in their defence holding down key posts.
The Hawks are going back to playing the unsociable football they were renowned for when they won the flag in 2008, but there have been examples where they appeared to have overstepped the line in recent weeks.
One of the club’s greats Sam Mitchell stands out in that regard with his silly act of motioning to inject a needle in his arm in reference to the Bombers’ drug scandal in the Hawks’ win over Essendon.
He regrets it and so he should. Up until that taunt Mitchell has been a role model and a perfect citizen for the game. We all make mistakes, but Mitchell no doubt would certainly love to have that moment again.
It just indicates how much hunger this successful group has as it tries to emulate the feat of Brisbane’s three-peat and Melbourne’s more than 50 years ago.
They are not only determined to physically outplay their opponents, but mentally disintegrate them as well in their pursuit of some rare history, although they could do without Mitchell’s act.
The injury to Frawley aside, the rest of this imposing playing list is up and about and playing good football and obviously aiming to peak at the right time of the year, the last home-and-away month in August and then the finals and an assault on the premiership once again.
Star half back Grant Birchall has experienced a lengthy time on the sidelines, but is back now and maybe the break has freshened him up to hit his straps at the right time. The suspensions to Jordan Lewis and Luke Hodge also gave them a much needed break in a long and gruelling season.
It’s incredible that a first round draft pick in Ben McEvoy again finds himself watching on, similar to this time last year, as Jon Ceglar continues to do everything right in nailing down the number one ruck spot, although McEvoy did replace him for grand final day in 2014.
Ceglar, though, has improved and unless injury strikes then McEvoy will be hard pressed even at the halfway mark of the season of replacing him later in the year.
The forward line must be thinking Buddy who? We know Franklin has starred for the Swans, but Hawthorn has so many avenues that they have coped wonderfully without him.
If Jarryd Roughead or Cyril Rioli don’t get you, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, David Hale and Paul Puopolo will.
They also continue to add new and quick blood to the midfield with Billy Hartung in his second season cementing a spot in this formidable line-up.
They are now top four ahead of Collingwood on percentage and their best is certainly more than good enough. They are probably only going at about 70 percent rat power at the moment.
There’s your latest scary movie!
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Chief certainly gave David King the details he wanted!
Will it get the Hawks ready for a crucial clash with North Melbourne?
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement through concussion to prioritise a "full and healthy life"…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
