In a season plagued with player setbacks and incomplete performances, it appeared the Hawthorn Football Club would not be serious premiership contenders in 2016.
But one thing we should all know by now is to never write off Hawthorn.
As of the end of Round 14, the Hawks find themselves on top of the ladder and they are firming as potential four-peat premiers.
Hawthorn go into their bye round sitting pretty at the top with eleven wins and three losses, a game clear of the following four equal-second sides. There’s no doubt that the shock loss for Geelong against the Saints, and Sydney’s bye round, contributed to the ladder change.
But the Hawks have still notched up the wins. Even if their season hasn’t been as flawless as recent years, they are definitely primed to have a real crack at it in September.
And honestly, that’s terrifying.
Going into the 2016 season, it appeared like it wouldn’t be all smooth sailing for Hawthorn. Their key outs looked damaging.
Star premiership forward Jarryd Roughead was first sidelined with a serious knee injury. After recovering from the knee, he then faced another setback and is now, as it is well documented, ruled out for the next year in order to focus on his cancer treatment.
Captain Luke Hodge has also had an injury plagued season. Hodge has only played five matches in 2016 after breaking his arm in Round 1 and injuring his knee in Round 6. He only made his return last week against the Suns.
Alongside these significant outs, the Hawks’ form has been shaky at best. Their consecutive three-point wins during the early part of the season, and a significant loss to the up-and-coming Giants, is testament to that.
Stats wise, they have also been below par. This week, there has been plenty of discussion about the Hawks’ appalling contested ball numbers. By Round 14, they are averaging 14.6 less contested possessions per game than their opponents and currently reside in last place for the comp in that particular category.
They have also only won the contested footy in two games this year despite their eleven wins – against West Coast in Round 2 and Fremantle in Round 8.
But does this mean Hawthorn can’t go deep into September? Well, no. In fact, it has been done as recently as 2012. In that year, Sydney were considered tenth in the contested ball department and yet still went on to win the premiership.
So in a season where it feels like anything can happen – where the premiership race is apparently wide open – should we even be surprised that Hawthorn is back up the top of the ladder?
We really shouldn’t be. They are an experienced and well-drilled club. Their coach is arguably the best in the league – and has been for the last few years – and their playing list is full of experienced heads who know what to do when the game’s on the line.
So while the Hawks have appeared to slip under the radar in 2016 – in favour for the dynamic Cats, the strong Swans, and the exciting Giants – they should be considered strong contenders just like anyone other club.
And although a Sydney win this week could see them slip to second very soon, Hawthorn’s ladder lead has definitely woken up the rest of the competition. Could 2016 once again be the ‘Year of the Hawk’?
It’s looking more and more likely.
CD Xbow
Guest
Well, the doggies beat Sydney and here we are, really at the top of the ladder at the end of the round and on track for a top 4 finish. It's the gray matter that matter most in modern football and I think the Hawks are tops in that department.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Still trying to hide behind other Hawthorn fans? Maybe it might be better if you take ownership of your own actions.
andyl12
Guest
DC- clearly you just can't take it when Hawthorn fans tell it like it is. You'll only listen to the ones who stay quiet about their club's achievements and talk up clubs like Essendon instead.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
As I say above Penster, it's just an observation. I've not any real problem with fans using the "we" for a little chance to get some reflective basking. I get that people go on a journey with their clubs and it's a pretty human thing to have a strong desire to belong. In andyl12's case it would be a little more endearing if it weren't used to try and convey a sense of personal superiority which often is to help justify put-downs and attacks on other clubs and/or horror at the fact someone might've said anything perceived by him to be negative on Hawthorn (i.e. anything that isn't gushing praise).
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
No? :D So what's yours? Lame? ;) Look let me address the content of jrod's post instead of just its emotional subtext. I'm not attacking "hawks supporters" in that post or any others. I'm just making an observation of what I've notice of one particular poster's posts. Although such straw-manning and generalisation are a very andyl12 thing to do I must say, so well done for getting into the theme of things so thoroughly. ;)
Reservoir Animal
Guest
Dalgety, you have no style.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
lol. Sorry I know you guys only hope for sycophancy, but it's just not my style.
Richard
Guest
7 and 7 is still more wins then the Wanchors ..haha
Penster
Guest
Why would you have a problem with that on a footy blog. You're pretty immersed in the sport yourself, with an interesting article up. We all are, it's kinda the purpose of The Roar.
andyl12
Guest
The worst Hawthorn will finish is 16-6. We'd have to drop games to bottom-10 clubs (and all our top-8 opponents) to do any worse. Will 16-6 get us into the top 4? Who knows. But 17-5 certainly will.
andyl12
Guest
DC, I have never thought that. It's just that Hawthorn treats its members like they're part of the club. There are clearly some other clubs that don't do this, in which case we shouldn't be surprised that such clubs aren't as successful as us.
jrod
Guest
Get a life Dalgety and move on from attacking the hawks supporters here. Its pathetic.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
You read enough of andyl12's post and you would think (he would think) he runs out on to the field.
New York Hawk
Guest
While I understand your distinction, I'm not sure you are right. If Andy is a member of the Hawthorn Football Club (I am) which I presume he is, then he is definitely entitled to say the collective "we". If you are in the club, you are in the club. His role might only be to contribute a few hundred bucks a year to its coffers and provide a lot of yelling and support at the games, but they are important contributions. Imagine if everyone abandoned their collective duties in this regard? The club would have no money and no atmosphere at games, a substandard footy department and a terrible team. In short, it wouldn't be a "club". So while he isn't the senior coach of the Hawks, Andy is part of the Club and therefore entitled to say "we". As we all are.
Don Freo
Guest
Hawks aren't on top. The round hasn't finished. If Sydney lose, then Hawthorn is on top. The answer to the headline then is, "No, they don't deserve it." You see, without umpire interference, they are only 7 and 7.
justinr
Guest
The have been comparisons between Hawthorn's 2016 season and Geelong in 2014. There is truth in this comparison, but I'm wondering if there may be a closer similarity to Carlton 1996. The Blues were 10-2 and on top of the ladder before fading slightly to finish 15-7, and then were shredded in two finals. My gut feeling is that the Hawks may follow a similar trajectory this year.
justinr
Guest
It's all about mental scars. The Bulldogs and the Crows have some; the Giants don't; the Swans and the Cats are a mixed bag.
JohnDee
Guest
That may have been the case in '13, '14 and '15, after making the GF in '12, but in '08? No one expected that. Geelong were clearly the strongest team in the Home and Away season, from memory only losing the one game and dominating all the way to the GF. ... and it's not as if the Hawks were handed a whole range of draft concessions like a GWS or GC, Clarkson was responsible for building the list and growing the players.
Kevin lee
Guest
Maybe because Clarko does not exceed expectations too much. Panel expects him to always do well. If he does he is only doing what is expected of him
Paul D
Roar Guru
I'm not concerned at all with Hawthorn getting to 4. That Brisbane side remains a superior outfit in my view, now and always.