The first two rounds of Hawthorn’s season have already given us insight of where they are likely to both succeed and struggle in 2013.
Hawthorn famously lifted the premiership cup in 2008. They were rank underdogs to a rampant Geelong side that has never forgiven them for inflicting the defeat that nobody expected.
After a couple of seasons made difficult by injury, with an evolved game plan and some astute recruiting, the Hawks of today have emerged as genuine premiership heavyweights.
Their recent success is centred around a game plan of precise kicking, building from driving runs out of half back combined with a forward line that is almost limitless in class and talent.
Despite this, there are still some cracks in Hawthorn’s style which were exposed in last year’s grand final and have been exposed so far in 2013.
Hawthorn’s elite midfielders lack pace and can be caught on the break, leaving their undersized defence exposed against big opposition forwards.
The Hawks’ forward line is brimming with flair and talent, but the likes of Franklin, Rioli, Bruest and Puopulo thrive when given space, and struggle to be effective when that space is taken from them (by the likes of Geelong and Sydney in particular).
It is obviously not all bad news. The Hawks are favourites for the flag, and with a few players taking the step this year, along with the handy addition of Brian Lake to take one of the big forwards, Hawks fans have a few reasons to be optimistic.
Bradley Hill has already shown an ability to find the ball and injects some run and carry into the team.
Jed Anderson’s potential is made obvious by the fact that Clarkson has placed him straight into a midfield group amongst stars like Mitchell, Sewell and Burgoyne, whilst Bailey is improving his ability to impose his presence on the game.
The Hawks are basically unbeatable in a shootout, the obvious challenge comes against their two ‘bogey’ teams of Sydney and Geelong, who both employ game plans that stifle their opponents and keep the score low.
The win against Geelong in 2008 (famously Hawthorn’s last win in eleven attempts) may provide some of the answers to how Hawthorn can overcome the likes of Sydney and Geelong, both of whom are a certainty to feature heavily in September.
The Hawks of 2008 burst onto the scene with Clarkson’s brand of ‘unsociable football’, led on the field by the likes of Brown, Osborne and Lewis to name a few.
Clearly the Hawks’ physical approach to their opponents has mellowed, somewhat driven by the departure of Brown and the elevation of Jordan Lewis to the vice captaincy.
You couldn’t be blamed for perceiving the Hawthorn midfield to be a little bit ‘nice’.
The aforementioned Mitchell, Sewell and Burgoyne could benefit from taking a leaf from Paul Puopulo’s book – his fanatical attack on the football and controlled aggression against his opponent was inspirational against the Eagles and should be considered as the benchmark for Clarkson’s men.
The other lesson worth considering from the 2008 Hawthorn side is ‘Clarko’s Cluster’.
What later become known more generally as the forward press was a defensive innovation that changed the tactical face of football for a number of years.
There is no doubt that some teams have now found ways of combating the forward press. That being said, Hawthorn have looked fragile on the counter attack in recent weeks.
A re-introduction of a form of Clarko’s Cluster could ensure that their elite midfielders maintain the ability to win the ball in the forward half and provide service to Buddy and co.
Alastair Clarkson has more than demonstrated his ability to innovate tactically in his nine years in charge at Hawthorn.
This time it might be learning from his past that allows his team to take the next step in 2013.
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