What can we say about Hawthorn that hasn’t already been said? Especially in the wake of their grand final demolition of Sydney, the most emphatic exclamation mark on back-to-back premierships.
As we approach the new season, many pundits have looked to the last match in 2014 to tear Sydney down a peg or two for the areas where they were found wanting.
Perhaps it is better to simply applaud a Hawthorn performance of peak footballing perfection, rivalling and perhaps bettering Geelong’s 119-point grand final victory against Port in 2007.
Check out the rest of Rosey’s AFL preview series here.
The Hawks may well have beaten the All-Australian side with the way they played that day, so we can cut Sydney some slack.
Let’s have a look at the side Hawthorn will attack 2015 with.
B: J.Frawley, B.Lake, M.Suckling
HB: S.Burgoyne, J.Gibson, G.Birchall
C: I.Smith, S.Mitchell, L.Hodge
HF: C.Rioli, J.Roughead, B.Hill
F: D.Hale, J.Gunston, L.Breust
Foll: B.McEvoy, J.Lewis, L.Shiels
Int: P.Puopolo, B.Stratton, J.Anderson, W.Langford
Em: M.Spangher, B.Whitecross, J.Simpkin
The scary proposition for opposition clubs and fans is that Hawthorn has lost not a single player from grand final day. Not only that, but they’ve added to their group by picking the eyes out of weaker clubs to siphon out James Frawley from Melbourne and Jono O’Rourke from Greater Western Sydney.
They’ll also add exciting young talent Jed Anderson to their best side, and Brendan Whitecross will make his way in at some point too. Neither played a senior match last year.
The Hawthorn old firm is spectacular in their steadiness.
Luke Hodge is the heartbeat of the side, both nominal and spiritual leader with courage to burn and a laser left foot. Jordan Lewis took a step into the AFL elite in the back half of last year, mixing hardness and skill with unrelenting running and a thirst for possession.
Sam Mitchell is possibly the smartest footballer in the league and continues to win the ball and distribute it by either hand and both feet with class and poise. Despite making his name as an extractor, he is lethal as a free-running linkman between the arcs.
Shaun Burgoyne continues to impress, lifting in the big moments when required, seeing options with ball in hand that few others do, and being able to deliver to them. Grant Birchall links out of the backline with reliability, always picking the perfect moment to leave his man and find space to provide an option.
Josh Gibson is the best third man up in the league down back, and is getting more and more of the ball as each season passes.
Jarryd Roughead is arguably the most complete big man in the AFL, a formidable presence to be negated inside 50, but equally capable of pushing up the ground as a leading target, and even winning his share of clearances when thrown into the middle as a big ruck-rover.
The above mentioned players have all played a lot of football together, several going back many years, and they continue to maintain and improve to a higher standard, both individually and implementing what Clarkson wants from the team.
Brian Lake and David Hale are other experienced hands that still have a role to play. Lake showed signs of struggle in an injury and suspension interrupted 2014 campaign, but is still a big game player.
Hale has provided more than many expected as a ruck-forward over the last four years, but may get squeezed out by the Ben McEvoy-Jonathon Ceglar combination this year. It’s a strong position to be in when he’s playing VFL.
There’s no shortage of class in the middle and younger band either.
Three 26-year-olds play important roles across the ground – Isaac Smith combines exhaustive run with bursts of pace, and is ever-damaging on the outside. Matt Suckling is probably the best mid and long-range kick of the football in a team full of elite ball users. Ben Stratton performs the lock-down roles down back.
Of the younger brigade, Brad Hill makes the game look easy and will continue to get better, but is already of critical importance to the Hawks with his speed and incisive kicking. Liam Shiels is the most unassuming player in the team, and is tracking brilliantly, having greater impact in the midfield as generational change takes place.
Jack Gunston and Luke Breust have averaged almost 100 goals a season between them over the last three, and neither has reached a ceiling yet, having more influence in front of goal and in general play as each year passes.
Of course, the x-factor that is the cherry on top of all this flexibility and class is none other than Cyril Rioli, the magic man who forces opposition mistakes just by being in the vicinity, can seemingly scythe through four opponents while almost standing still, and can turn a game with one deft touch.
Add to this guys like Will Langford, who polled in the Norm Smith medal last time we saw him, Paul Puopolo, the role-playing pressure specialist, and Matt Spangher, Taylor Duryea, Jonathan Simpkin, premiership players all.
There is no more finely honed team in the league, a point reinforced by the Hawks not missing a beat when Alastair Clarkson was absent from the coaches box for over a month in 2014.
A key part of their success is the great anticipation they show out on the field, swarming like angry bees all over the ground.
How often do Hawthorn have a man 20 metres in space switching in the back pocket, who then finds a man 40 metres in space at halfback? And down the ground they go, loose men everywhere.
Yes, they can move the ball with dazzling speed, but only because the 18 men on the ground at any given moment never switch off. They understand that every individual is always in the game, regardless of how far away the ball is.
Selflessness is another trademark of the Hawks, as is relentlessness and professionalism. All three will be required to win a third premiership in a row, and all three will be delivered again.
Hawthorn has enough quality, experience and depth on the field to finish at the top end of the ladder and contend once more. Will they then go on and become three-peat immortals? Only time will tell.
Predicted ladder spread: first-fourth
Predicted finish: first
Rosey’s ladder
1st – Hawthorn
2nd – Port Adelaide
3rd – Sydney
4th – North Melbourne
5th – Fremantle
6th – Gold Coast
7th – Geelong
8th – Richmond
9th – Essendon
10th – Brisbane
11th – Adelaide
12th – Collingwood
13th – Greater Western Sydney
14th – West Coast
15th – Carlton
16th – Melbourne
17th – Western Bulldogs
18th – St Kilda
Clinton farr
Guest
I can't question the quality of the hawks squad but 7 players over 30 and heaps over 26. It will need to be a lucky injury run for Hawks to make GF. Integrity of the club and AFL brand is important to grow the game. Warning to Hawks is don't do anything silly just to keep your boys on Top. The club has had a great run but let's avoid any other bombers type events just to stay on top of the ladder. Looking forward to Hawks coming back to the pack after being too good over the last few seasons.
Clinton farr
Guest
Cameron with Hawthorn having 7 players in first 18 over 30 years of age and a bunch over 26 years of age. Surely fitness will be an issue. Or can I suggest something sinister is keeping the boys on the park. After all winning is all that counts when money is involved. This is why the money men high jacking sport corrupts it ultimately. Good luck to the AFL protecting their brand in 2015 hopefully no more club scandals.
Dean
Guest
The Hawks regularly are forced to play home finals at Etihad stadium when playing an interstate team a stadium they are likely to only play at 1 or 2 times per season. I personally can never fully respect Brisbanes run of 3 when it was financially backed by the AFL and they had recently benefited from a merger of 2 teams. Geelongs dominance of recent seasons is of higher regard in my opinion.
Willow
Guest
Hawks should be Top 4 but I don't see them so far ahead of the competition like others do. Our biggest challenge is replacing ageing stars. Can't see all of Burgoyne, Hodge & Mitchell continuing to stay at the elite levels of previous years. That said, Shiels, Langford & hopefully Anderson will be ready to fill the void. The back line looks really settled with the addition of Frawley who is more a 2016 need than 2015. I do think there is still a spot for a tall up forward with Buddy's departure. Shoenmakers is better suited forward but is on the slowish side and O'Brien is a raw talent. (Despite winning in 2014 it's not easy losing arguably the best player in the competition.) Clarkson has delivered amazing consistency since 2011. Expect more of the same this year!
Mango Jack
Guest
He just needs to lose the pretty boy sydney eastern suburbs haircut :)
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
We're not talking about Sydney really, but while their draw last year wasn't as difficult as Freo's or the Hawks' it wasn't easy either. "Everyone knows northern state…teams get soft draws…", doesn't really stand up even when you look as far as last season where Brisbane had one of the hardest draws of all. We are comparing the Lions 01-03 to the 12-14 Hawks. Sure the Hawks draw of the past two seasons has been difficult, but so have all the top 4 teams from the previous year. But have Hawthorn ever had to travel two weeks in a row? Have they had to play a home final interstate? The Lions did in their premiership years.
Ray
Guest
So no access to the draft till the bottom end and no ability to use Free Agency??? Is that the way to reward a club for performing well on and off the field? I dont think so
Dean
Guest
Hawks always get a tough draw every year that they are up around the top of the ladder especially when Demetriou was running things. Everyone knows that Northern state NSW, QLD teams get soft draws and this is done to assist these teams in winning premierships to grow the fan interest in these states and grow the AFL brand into a more national competition. Not to mention the extra financial handouts these teams have gotten in the past. You only have to look at 2013 draw after the Hawks lost the premiership. Hawks toughest draw by a long shot, Sydney middle of the run draw (as rated by media experts) despite winning in 2012. Hawks travel to Tasmania regularly also which is a huge 20 minute plane ride.
Tim
Guest
If you want to debate Shoey, come join our Hawks forum Chancho https://www.facebook.com/groups/2210288061/
Tim
Guest
I would think Stratton will take the oppositions dangerous mid size forward. Like against Geelong, I would expect these match ups Lake- Hawkins Frawley- Clark Gibbo- Blitzats ( but Geelong will try to run a progressive tag on him, like Bartel ) Stratts- Stevie J
Jrod
Guest
Hawks dominated 2012 home and away
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
…which brings me to another point for the 2001-2003 team, the Lions had to do what they did with a huge travel load, which Hawthorn doesn't have, as well as not having home ground advantage at the GF, which the Hawks do.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The Lions may've finished top in 2002, if they didn't have to travel for a second week in a row to play Port for the minor premiership decider.
AB
Guest
You're right Dalgety - "dominated" is too strong. But the fact remains that Hawthorn has won two of the past three minor premierships and finished just 2% behind Sydney last year, despite Sydney's distinctly softer draw (which was still tougher than Adelaide's infamous marshmallow draw of 2012). Whereas Brisbane never won a minor premiership and indeed finished four games adrift of top spot in 2003.
shiftyxr
Guest
What about Stratton? He will be the third tall which will allow Gibson to roam causing destruction with the fist of doom.
InvisiblePJs
Roar Rookie
A simple fix to the above - exclude the top 4 teams from recruiting players through free agency. Since it's inception it has done nothing for the competition except bolster the top teams to the detriment of the lower sides.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
I liked someone's comment along the lines that this won't be a side going all out to win every match, but do enough to manage the older list and make it to the top 4... a bit like last year in a way. I rate Schoenmakers quite highly, I think he's coming on well... but that's a sign of this list that there's no place for him in the starting 22. Unfortunate timing for his ACL, but he came back with some added bulk and I'm sure was handy up front in a game or 2. Question I have, do you perceive any great threat to in the event of long-term injury to the likes of Mitchell or Hodge? Just wanted to add, well done on the team-by-team reviews Cam, it's been a really good insight and flavour of what to expect for the season. And also, thanks to all the contributors and commentators... it's the varied opinions and debates that I've really enjoyed and learned a lot from. Anyway, enough of that... I can't wait for the season to start.... CARN THE HAWKS!!!
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Have Hawthorn "dominated a season" over the past few years? Certainly didn't last year, in 2013 they finished one game clear and in 2012 they finished equal with Adelaide.
AB
Guest
There's something special about him, isn't there? I saw him play his first two games and even then he was a player you noticed. I have to say - and I know this sounds ridiculous - but even watching him play game #2, I remember thinking, "Gee, this kid could win a Brownlow one day!" I'm not saying he will - but I don't recall ever being so impressed with a kid so early in his career.
Mango Jack
Guest
Really keen to see how W Langford progresses this year. He certainly looks the goods and had a brilliant GF to prove that pressure and big occasions don't phase him. He has guts and a bit of x-factor. Remember that freak goal in the GF. Sure, luck played a part but very good players pull those things off.