Hawks more determined after AFL setbacks

By Justin Chadwick / Wire

Shaun Burgoyne feels Hawthorn’s year of setbacks has helped drive their push for back-to-back AFL flags.

Cyril Rioli, Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson and Brian Lake – four of the Hawks’ most important players – all missed large chunks of the season.

In addition, coach Alastair Clarkson missed five games after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome.

“It’s been one out of the blue,” Burgoyne told AAP of the Hawks’ 2014 campaign.

“Lots of ups and downs.

“It’s just made the group a bit more determined, and also provided a lot of great opportunities.”

Even at the start of the year, the reigning premiers were a notably different beast to the 2013 premiership edition.

Max Bailey and Brent Guerra had retired, while excitement machine Lance Franklin joined Sydney on a nine-year contract worth $10 million.

Midfielder Jordan Lewis has gone from serviceable to star this season, while Matthew Spangher is among the previously fringe players to seemingly lock down a spot in the Hawks’ best 22.

Will Langford and Jonathon Ceglar have likewise stepped up.

“It is hard to compare (2013 to 2014). Two different feelings,” Burgoyne said after the Hawks trumped Geelong by 36 points to stroll into their fourth consecutive preliminary final.

“We’ve got some younger guys into the team.

“We’re a year older and a year wiser, but all the other teams have gotten better as well.”

Hawthorn will play either Fremantle or Port Adelaide on Saturday week, Burgoyne suggesting he has no preference.

“It’s going to be tough and hard regardless,” he said.

The Hawks earned a week off courtesy of their indomitable win over the Cats, but Burgoyne promised his team wouldn’t be putting their feet up.

“We’ll freshen up, but train hard as well. We won’t be backing off,” he said.

Matt Suckling (knee) and Rioli (hamstring) will be testing out their respective injuries, while prized recruit Ben McEvoy will be doing all he can to claim Ceglar’s place in the side.

“This is the problem you want to have, a couple of players at your disposal and competition for spots,” Burgoyne said.

Burgoyne was among the Hawks’ best last Friday night, his trademark pinpoint passes teeing up a handful of goals.

The 31-year-old was widely praised for the calmness he showed in a frenzied clash, but played down his efforts.

“It is really crucial not to rush your disposal and we were all able to do that for the majority of the night,” he said.

The Crowd Says:

2014-09-10T00:03:36+00:00

Don Freo

Guest


Hardest draw is purely subjective. The only objective aspect is fortnightly travel. Interstate teams have the hardest draws. The coach made no difference.

2014-09-10T00:01:36+00:00

Don Freo

Guest


Correcting the myth, Fabe's.

2014-09-09T22:26:16+00:00

Beau

Guest


Don, you also must take into account that Hawthorn has had the second hardest draw in the AFL this year. Losing their coach for 5 weeks is hardly ideal, key injuries, no franklin.. there is a multitude of factors why this article was written, it seems you are just looking for an excuse as to when your team goes out in straight sets this weekend.

2014-09-09T21:39:11+00:00

Fabes

Guest


Nothing in the article states they have done it tough compared to others Don. Simply saying they have had a few injuries and set backs including the coach. Relax man relax :)

2014-09-09T14:06:14+00:00

Don Freo

Guest


Ok Justin..do some work. I would say that the total of games missed by Freo's top 25 players is more than Hawthorn's top 25 players and the total games missed by Freo's top 10 players is more than the total missed by Hawthorn's top 10. All you gurus and experts and pros claim this 'tough season' and 'setbacks' for Hawthorn but I think you are perpetuating myths driven by the bleatings of one commentator copying another...until it becomes some kind of folklore. Let's see some numbers. If I was surmising based on perusal of weekly injury lists over the season, I'd suggest the outs to injury and suspension would rank something like; Collingwood, Freo, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Hawthorn, GWS, WCE. Hawthorn has not done it tough by comparison with others.

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