Sitting fourth on the ladder and boasting a percentage of 121.4 per cent, the question must now be asked: Can the Hawks surprise with another spectacular finals campaign only three years since their premiership three-peat?
Few predicted at the beginning of the seasonthat the Hawks could challenge for a spot in this year’s finals. However, with only two rounds remaining in the home-and-away season Hawthorn have become a genuine top-four threat.
Saturday’s blockbuster saw Hawthorn hold off a spirited Geelong comeback. The nailbiting contest between the two rivals ended with the Hawks taking home another four points.
In his post-match press conference coach Alastair Clarkson commented that the game had a “finals-type atmosphere”.
He went on to say, “that was a dress rehearsal for what might come. When that comes we’re not really sure because we’re still building as a club.”
So are the Hawks really a chance to challenge for the flag?
(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Firstly, this will depend on whether they can maintain their top-eight form and ideally their position in the top four. With Collingwood and Sydney breathing down their necks, the Hawks must beat both St Kilda and Sydney, the latter of which is fighting tooth-and-nail for a spot in finals themselves.
Earlier this season Hawthorn embarrassed the underperforming Saints, winning 89 to 54. The Swans, however, are a different kettle of fish. The two teams have developed a fierce rivalry in recent years, with Sydney defeating the Hawks by eight points in their most recent Beyond Blue encounter.
Making finals in the 2018 season remains as difficult a task for Hawthorn as it does for all the teams currently stuck in the ladder logjam. However, assuming that Clarkson can outcoach his colleagues in the remaining rounds, there is no doubt that the Hawks can make a real dint in September.
Hawthorn have already demonstrated their ability against some of this season’s biggest contenders. What seemed like a regulation win against the Pies in the season opener can be seen in hindsight as a genuine humbling of Nathan Buckley’s best 22.
In Round 4 Hawthorn put Melbourne to the sword with a 67-point thumping, and more recently they were able to expose the cracks in Port Adelaide’s brand of footy.
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Of course the ultimate success for any team this September will involve taking on the competition’s most in-form team, Richmond. If Hawthorn are able to maintain their current position, it will all but certainly set up a mouthwatering first-round finals clash against the Tigers at the MCG.
One of Richmond’s biggest strengths is their ability to win games at the MCG. This home-ground advantage is what puts them ahead of both GWS and West Coast in grand final discussions.
The Hawks are no strangers to the home of footy and have won seven of their nine games at the ‘G this season. Richmond’s 13-point win over Hawthorn in Round 3 has been Richmond’s second-smallest margin in their 19 consecutive victories at the ground.
While the football world remains determined that the flag is Richmond’s for the taking, it would be foolish to dismiss the experience and class of Alastair Clarkson and his men.
Only time will tell what more this club can achieve, but with 14 premiership players still on their list and several strong recruits, including this year’s Brownlow favourite, Hawthorn may just be a chance to pinch the flag from under everyone’s noses.
Terrence
Guest
I think Richmond will flog them, too slow no I don't think they are going anywhere good win against Sydney but they were without two maybe best stars. Richmond are too pact for them and nankervis will pull McEvoy seglar apart.He's a great ruckman nankervis.
New York Hawk
Roar Rookie
In 2008 we didn't beat the Dogs, Saints or Cats during the regular season but smoked them all in the finals...
Stal15
Guest
To the pies supporter who says your pace will worry us hasn't watched hawthorn recently. We are much quicker across the board than we used to be and that's without Cyril. We probably match up the best on your mid sized forwards than anyone else in the competition. If you add Sicily and birchall to that mix we get more dynamic. Geelong couldn't keep up last week and there not exactly a slow team.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Would rather the Hawks win it than listening to the Tiger Nuff Nuff brigade Bird. I just think you are flavour of the month at the minute like the Pies were after beating the Demons and Bombers. Fact is you lost to the Lions twice, an injury ravaged GWS and have belted some average sides like the Dogs, Blues and Freo and got over the line against the Bombers and Cats. The media have jumped on and anointed the Hawks the new challenger but the form line flatters.
Penster
Roar Guru
You've just described the difference between a "team of champions" and a "champion team". If Clarko couldn't nab a Coach of the Year award from 2008 - 2015, not sure why they'd reward him now. We should win against the Saints but we are also due for a loss and I'm wary of the Swans who are coming home strong. Numerology is on our side tho 1978, 1988, 2008 :)
Nineteen
Guest
As a Hawks supporter I'm mindful we haven't beaten a top 4 side this year. I'm also mindful that in 2008 Geelong were the most dominant team and they lost the Grand Final. In 2012 Hawthorn were the most dominant during the home and away season and also lost the Grand Final. So the lesson is 'The day is the day!' Everything else is BS.
Longwayfromhome
Guest
I'd love to see the Hawks win a couple of finals. It'd be a year or two ahead of schedule. Their systems are strong, as you'd expect from a Clarkson team. My main concern is that without Rioli, they lack real game-breakers. Maybe Sicily or Breust or O'Meara....
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
If you read back carefully, the 6 in the 23 and under bracket was in reference to last week. Funnily enough this week they played their second youngest team of the year. They did play eight 23 y.o. and younger players, which is probably hitting the stratosphere for them from memory, but still not more than middle of the road as far as playing youth goes for the competition in 2018.
Curtis
Guest
Ok so Cyril is overrated given his low number of possessions and impact each week, but now that he is retired the Hawks are going to miss him because, well because he is Cyril. Opposition supporters are so fickle...
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Makes our run all the more meritorious with Rioli missing most of the season. Keep praying the Pies don't meet the Hawks in September.......
Birdman
Roar Rookie
if only it was that simple PTS. a few sides have beaten the Tiges this year away from the 'G but that doesn't make them flag favs.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
But can you rely on him being out there in the finals Kavvy? That is your question.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
That same "underperforming" team who smashed Hawthorn by 56 points got belted two weeks later by North by 9 goals.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
"under performing mid table team'- for me is a Essendon, Adelaide .....Not Brisbane..... I do however agree with the hawk killer line. The Lions had some serious hawk intell
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hawks don't have Cyril any more. it was Cyril who used to kill the Pies. I'd be really confident of the Pies playing the Hawks in the finals as think we would do you for pace. For the Pies I would be worried about playing either WCE away or the Cats at the G, every other side I would like our chances with a reasonable team to choose from. (no more new injuries and the possibility of Treloar and Goldsack to come back)
Peter P
Guest
Hi Chris, could you be more specific about the 'errors' you are claiming? I'm a Pies fan and in round 2 we pushed GWS in a what was a really good game and then went on to smash Carlton and Adelaide. So in hindsight it was a good performance by the Hawks
Peppsy
Roar Guru
Brisbane are an under performing mid table team, who're coached by Clarkson's right hand man, and have Hawthorn's general tutoring their backline. A better Hawk killer could hardly be imagined.
Kavvy
Guest
Worpel, Morrison, Hardwick, Impey, Pittonet, Nash, Burton, Miles = 8.
Kavvy
Guest
You're not wrong. I probably would have given him best on for the hawks on Saturday (in a pretty even team performance) though.
Chris
Guest
I ahve just got you guys out of your slumber! Five out of 22 makes 22.7%. I will admit the errors of my ways. How about the writer doing the same?