Okay, so we all know the Hawks are fortunate to be 4-2; apart from the grand final replay, they haven’t been very good.
The demolition on the weekend at the hands of the Giants finally brought this to the attention of the media. So what’s the problem?
Most commentators are talking about contested footy, given the stats and the fact the Hawks barely touched the Sherrin at Spotless last week. But, over their period of sustained success, Hawthorn have never been great at clearances or contested ball. They’ve been good, but it’s not a core competency of this team.
What the Hawks did was use elite skills and structure to punish teams on the counterattack. They would set up in such a way that their opponents would be allowed to get the ball first, but would immediately be under pressure and hand it over.
The Hawks like to set up with fewer inside players at the ruck contest and more skilled players outside the contest, to cut off short clearances and create a sense of pressure on opposition midfielders (often resulting in a quickly hacked kick straight to a loose Hawthorn player).
So why has this stopped working?
Firstly, Alastair Clarkson teams have relied on elite users in the backline to set up forward movements. But in 2016, Matt Suckling is gone and Brian Lake’s retirement has meant Josh Gibson is back to playing as a key defender rather than a rebounder.
With Taylor Duryea’s form way off early and Shaun Burgoyne sucked into the middle, Grant Birchall is fighting a lone battle.
In case you ask, Frawley and Stratton are excellent players having good years, but they’re not the setup men.
With injury and poor form hitting the few inside midfielders they have aside from Sam Mitchell, Clarkson is forced to push his best players from other zones into the centre square. Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo and Cyril Rioli are dangerous in the forward line, not the centre, and we’re seeing those guys in the middle more often this year.
Burgoyne also finds himself further afield more often to cover up holes, when his skills are needed down back.
Thirdly; when the Hawks manage to get the ball, delivery further afield hasn’t been great. The outside mids have been ordinary or hurt.
The lack of scoring isn’t really the forward line’s fault – although Jack Gunston hasn’t been stellar, he’s converted from few opportunities, while James Sicily and the resting ruckman have provided some marking power. With Rioli and Breust in the middle, the forward line starts looking a little thin and too easy to escape.
I don’t want to present problems without a solution. So what should the Hawks do?
Jarryd Roughead will help. He’s a high-quality forward and can legitimately offer something in the centre square. But that’s not rocket surgery.
The Hawks need to add another true key backman not named Ryan Shoenmakers. This might be Tim O’Brien, or it might be someone else. Gibson needs his freedom back.
Hawthorn need to try some midfielders new to find someone in form. This definitely means Jonathan O’Rourke and might mean a couple more from a strong Box Hill side. If Jordan Lewis has to spend time elsewhere to find his touch, give it a try.
The end is not quite nigh. Looking at the next five games, it’s more likely that not that the Hawks will go to 8-3, which is not exactly cause for panic. There’s still time to make “Fourthorn” a reality.
Kaz
Guest
Ive heard a few commentators open their speel about Hawthorns woes with " are they ( Hawthorn ) going to start to regret their trades ". And eneviatably Mitchell and Lewis come up. Mitchell chose to leave and Lewis went out in sympathy. And Clarko, like a champion, has carried the criticism of their decision making without saying to much. We are officially re building. Let's sit back and enjoy the fresh talent and hopefully get a win or two along the way.
Kaz
Guest
I don't even know what this comment means. Do you know these men personally?
Spudweiser
Guest
Or just put your hand out to the AFL
Spudweiser
Guest
Duckwood mustn't have been playing?
Spudweiser
Guest
"Spank" the Hawks when it matters, Samantha - only then will you have credibility
Samantha
Roar Rookie
Yep plenty of time to paper over the cracks and pretend everything is as it was.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
I do love when Hawthorn fans have to continually move the goal posts because they've been proven wrong, yet again.
Kurt
Guest
Nah, just illicit drugs. But let's not talk about that.
Kurt
Guest
I really do feel your pain Jax. I can only begin to magine how difficult it is for you to support an under achieving team, your only solace constant baseless whinging about umpires, travel etc. I hope for your sake that you experience just one tenth of the joy I have over the past 40 years supporting the greatest team of the modern era.
Don Freo
Guest
Were there shabby umpire's decisions then too?
andyl12
Guest
Is West Coast's 2006 flag tainted?
Don Freo
Guest
Why direct that at me? I'm saying The Saints effectively beat Hawthorn too. WC? What the...?
andyl12
Guest
I agree with you on some of what you say- particularly that we are a better chance this year than next. That will certainly keep the boys motivated. Of course we can't control what other sides do, but the lesson from 2014-15 (and 2012) is that the teams who make flying starts don't end up in the Grand Final, and the teams who stay out of the limelight in May often end up better for it. No doubt you will see this as good for West Coast also.
jax
Guest
agreed however time is beginning to catch up with them. Only a fool would right them off this early in the season; Their draw really opens now and those 3 close wins have set them up nicely once again.
jax
Guest
The Cats were also been written off for a few years but they kept hanging in there but they eventually dropped out of contention and so will the Hawks. Lewis looks fazed to me, he's had a horrible season so far. The Hawks can only control what they can control so it's not entirely up to them. Other teams have control over their own destiny also which is the beautiful thing about footy. The Hawks draw now opens for them which should set them up nicely before Roughy and Hodge return. I'm certainly not writing them off yet but this is their last year at it unless they do something drastic during the trade period.
jax
Guest
another arrogant Hawks supporter. Their fall from grace is going to be all the more enjoyable to watch. No team can stay up forever so keep squeezing every last bit out of this era that you can as the party is coming to an end soon. So long as GF's are played on the MCG the Melb clubs are always going to have the upper hand against interstate clubs which is just how the VFL likes it. Go back over the record books and take a look at how many travelling top 8 teams beat top 8 opposition away from home. The Hawks have won more than most over the last few years I'd suspect and they are a great team but the records prove that the home side has a distinct advantage. We know some of the flags are tainted and nothing anyone can say will change that.
jason
Guest
Hawks will get a much needed percentage boost when they play in the next 2 MONTHS... RICHMOND FREO PIES BLUES BOMBERS LIONS GOLD COAST DEMONS PORT
jason
Guest
1989 2008
jason
Guest
Hey Don, when did the West Coast win their last flag ?? 06
Captain Captain
Roar Rookie
Gee I wouldn't say they were poor in round 3 when they played the dogs. Top drawer quality game. Lets not rewrite history for the sake of an argument that Hawks are poor!