Have the footy gods finally decided enough is enough?
Hawthorn’s bid for a fifth premiership in nine years has been made a lot harder with star Jarryd Roughead recently going down to injury.
The Hawks star is set to have reconstructive surgery to fix a posterior cruciate ligament problem that will keep him out for five months.
It’s not the footy gods’ first attempt to derail a Hawks premiership campaign, with the departure of Lance Franklin, injuries to key players and even a stretch without master coach Alastair Clarkson thrown at them over the last couple of years.
Yet the champs have always found a way.
Roughead is one of Hawthorn’s key players, not just for his goal-kicking, but his versatility to go into the middle when required. He is one of the Hawks’ major weapons.
His injury, an ageing list and rival clubs just waiting to storm the castle are all big obstacles in the Hawks’ bid for a fourth premiership in a row.
But this is no ordinary team. Its evenness, versatility and self-confidence have rarely been seen in the history of the AFL.
Hawthorn will use the return of Roughead midway through the season to propel themselves towards another top-four finish and from there the big-game specialists will be hard to beat.
No team will be confident playing the Hawks in a big final such is the aura around this team.
Legendary coach Clarkson will already be in the lab concocting plan after plan to cover for the loss of the key Hawthorn big man and any other obstacle that might get in the way of this champion team adding to its dynasty.
Wayno
Guest
This tainted premierships stuff is classic.. Haha .. Love it !
mattyb
Guest
They actually played their home grand final last year against a team that not only finished higher on the ladder but defeated them in a previous final only 2 weeks earlier. Couple this with the Prelim umpiring that got them into the grand final and a more tainted premiership you will not find. A wonderful performance considering their premiership the year before was also tainted but last year takes the cake.
anon
Guest
Brisbane did it harder winning three in a row. They had to play the Grand Final at the MCG against Melbourne teams. Hawthorn has played the last four Grand Finals on THEIR home ground against "interstate" teams. A completely unfair advantage that is never talked about.
New York Hawk
Guest
Surely it was Stevic who stitched up the Sydney deal, as he realized the Hawks would be more flexible and less predictable without Buddy, thus making it less work for Stevic on game days in order to help the Hawks win? On a total tangent, how much of a tool is Pickering?
Penster
Guest
Depends on your definition of dynasty. There's a difference between not winning 4 in a row, and end of finals competitive era. Hawks should hang in the top 8 for the next few seasons, but I won't be taking the $4.00 on offer at Sportsbet.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Oh please. Hawthorn claiming they've done it tough is like millionaires moaning about how much tax they pay.
Don Freo
Guest
Tragedies and health issues...give me a break!!! Where are the violins?
paul cotton
Guest
The most amazing team probably for the last 50 years. To win 3 flags in a row with a system of drafts levelling the competion/loss of key players/tragedies/health issues etc. to win 3 fllags in a row, AMAZING
Don Freo
Guest
Sicily and O'Brien? Yeah that'd be right. Bring in a law firm!!
Don Freo
Guest
Was it the footy gods that got rid of Franklin?
David C
Guest
Could actually benefit Hawthorn as they need to get games into those two you mentioned - Sicily and O'Brien. I think they will be pumping games into their young fringe players for the first half of the season before settling on the best 22 for the run home.
Nick Welch
Roar Rookie
Bit of a strange article. All it really says is that Roughead is injured and the Hawks are a good team that will be able to deal with it. Really doesn't say anything. If I were talking about the possibility of Hawthorn falling away, I'd look at whether or not teams are dealing with their game plan and their style of footy, rather than the impact of the injury of one player out of 22. Hawthorn have a system where every player understands their role and Roughead's replacement, while perhaps a slightly inferior player, understands their role in the team and being part of their system - whether it be Sicily, O'Brien or somebody else.
mattyb
Guest
Pretty liberal take on the word article,but yes he is just pumping up the tyres of Hawthorn.
The Original Buzz
Guest
In this modern era of the game, I would be surprised to see a team contest a 5th consecutive GF but think (and this is only my opinion) that Hawthorn will finish in the top 4 and miss the GF this year. Recruiting, development of players, coaching staff, tactics, injuries, etc. all have a role to play in the lead up to the big day and I think this year will be tougher than ever for the Hawks. Opposition teams will be queuing up to test their mettle against the league leaders in Hawthorn, Sydney and West Coast to gauge the depth of their teams. Carlton open the NAB challenge against Hawthorn and I can't wait to see how they are going with the rebuild.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Are you really asking this question or is this just another article 'pumping up the tires' of the Hawthorn football club?