It was an off-season that saw a changing of the guard at the Hawks. With senior players moved on, coach Alastair Clarkson will look to rebuild once again at Hawthorn.
With their season opener against the Bombers upon us, here is a look into how the Hawks will fare in 2021.
Position range: 15-12
The Hawks will not be making any run for the finals in 2021. Finishing 15th last season, they will be thereabouts once again in 2021.
Clarkson seems set on developing the youngsters this season, with draftees such as Connor Downie and Tyler Brockman all impressing over the off-season, they will be given ample chances to play senior football.
Additionally, youngsters Dylan Moore, Jacob Koschitzke, Oliver Hanrahan and Will Day will all be given chances to assert themselves at AFL level this year.
Despite the Hawks having an array of experienced talent on the list, the Hawks will be planning for the long-run, rather than rushing to play finals football.
Best and fairest winner: Tom Phillips
Having moved across from the Magpies last season, Phillips has fitted into his new side seamlessly. He impressed with his work on the track during the preseason and was among the best players in both pre-season hit-outs.
A very reliable run-and-carry midfielder for the Magpies who won plenty of the ball, he showed the same form in a best-on-ground performance against North Melbourne in the pre-season. With 30 disposals, which included 21 kicks and a goal, he is going to be a vital piece for the Hawks this season
Others: Chad Wingard, Jaeger O’Meara and Tom Mitchell.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Most improved: Harry Morrison
Having impressed on debut back in 2017, Morrison has not had much recent success, either due to depth issues or inconsistent form when he got his chances at senior level.
Though he’s been used mostly as a utility player, filling a role where needs be, Morrison looks set to assert himself in the best 22 predominantly playing as an outside midfielder who can also rotate up forward.
Though you cannot read much into preseason form, Morrison has put in a good body of work which suggests he should have a breakout season. This season he will look to prove he is more than a role player.
Others: Dylan Moore, Oliver Hanrahan and Will Day.
Best first-year player: Tyler Brockman
Taken with pick 46 in the draft, the speedy small forward has impressed the club and fans alike. An exciting prospect in the WAFL’s Colts competition last year, Brockman possesses good attacking attributes while averaging five tackles a game, proving he can also put in a shift defensively when need be.
Brockman looks to be the Paul Puopolo replacement, and with great outings in the preseason, Brockman does not look phased by the step-up to senior football.
Others: Connor Downie and Denver Grainger-Barrass.
Leading goalkicker: Luke Breust
With Jack Gunston set to miss a chunk of the early part of the season, it leaves Breust as the only player in the Hawks forward line that is a proven goalkicker.
Others: Jack Gunston and Tim O’Brien
Chopping block: Daniel Howe
Howe had to buy his time in the reserves initially during Hawthorn’s golden era. However, even as the Hawks descended the ladder, Howe is still yet to make his mark in the Hawks midfield due to playing the tagger role, which is occupied currently by Liam Shiels.
Though Shiels is in the back-end of his career and could potentially retire at the end of year, if Howe fails to find another role in which he can fit in the best 22, his time at the Hawks will be almost certainly over.
Others: Connor Nash and James Cousins
Summary
Clarkson has a clear direction in 2021. Having been a one-paced team that has been heavily reliant on disposal efficiency, the Hawks have changed tact and decided to play at a faster pace.
Though it’s a style that is exciting, it will leave the side exposed at times defensively, especially against the better sides of the competition. In the first season of the rebuild, it will be a season which the Hawks prioritise developing the youngsters and implement a game plan that will bring success in the long-run.
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
May the tiges build an era of domination like the Hawks. Bring it on. I’d love for us to be part of the conversation but Hawks sustained success through the decades is impressive. Tiges now writing their own history with all time champs like Dusty but who wouldn’t be jealous of dermie, dipper, Leigh matthews, dunstall etc. it’s going to take a while before I pity a Hawks fan.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
So a super group of players just turned up and coached themselves to 4 flags, did they? Gee this coaching game is easy. I might give it crack.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
You're from Punt Road and you're jealous?
shifty
Roar Rookie
Of course you can't agree, then you'd have to admit you were wrong. Burgoyne limped in on crutches unsure if he'd play again. Lake was cooked when he arrived. Gunstan was young and had potential, which can often be left unfulfilled. This is like shooting fish in a barrell. Most of the stars your thinking off were gone or Clarko moved on; Rawlings, Hay, Chick, Thompson, Holland, Lekkas. Can't really call Nick Ries a star or perhaps Kris Barlow, Adrian Cox and Lance Picioane?
okapiman
Roar Rookie
Very weird statement. I do not like Clarko as a person, suffers from the angry small dwarf syndrome. But the reality is - Clarko is the best coach in the competition by a street - and then some. Regardless of where the Hawks finish this year. On recruiting - he lost Lance still won, lost Gibson, still won.. lost.. etc. still won. Also, his recruiting was sublime.. Frawley, Lake - won them flags. Strange strange statement. Clarko moulded a very young group of kids and created several champions... qed
Thatsashame
Roar Rookie
Sorry can't agree. Gun players were already there, yes he got players from other clubs, again most were already stars. Lake, Burgoyne, Gunstan etc. The foundations of that team were handed to him. And ill say it again...I want to see Clarko build the team but I am certain he won't do it. He won't spend years trying to get back into finals, and it will be years. He will move to another team that's in contention.
Puntroad
Roar Rookie
Long may you remain in the wilderness hawks fans. Complete jealousy on my part of course. But I would say that Clarko seems stale/bored? Hasn’t got the cattle anymore, and the old Clarko wizardry lines are getting tired.
IvoryThunder
Roar Rookie
There seems to be a shift away from a team full of players with composure, mongrel, footy smarts and exquisite foot skills to "athletes" with "potential"....
IvoryThunder
Roar Rookie
You've confused Clarkson and the Hawks with Chris Scott and the 2011 Cats...
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Apologies to TOB - just about to turn 27 - seems to have been around forever.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
With who, Einstein?
2dogz
Roar Rookie
The Bombers have 4-5good players???
Geoff
Guest
Clarko is cooked. Time to move on from him and start afresh. :thumbup:
Boo
Guest
That's a shame I'm biased I don't like Hawthorn spoiled too many of my footy memories when I was young but you are categorically wrong Clarkson not only built the team and turned players from other clubs into stars but devised game plans to topple great sides .Doubt he will leave Hawthorn until there competitive again .
shifty
Roar Rookie
Clarko built the 3 peat team. Yes Mitchell and Hodge were drafted in 01, but they were hardly the players they turned out to be when he arrived. Roughead Lewis and Buddy were drafted in 2004, the same year Clarko was appointed. Took an ageing average list and culled it. Within 3yrs had a flag. Added Burgoyne and Gibson in 2010, Hale in 2011, Gunston in 2012 and Lake in 2013. Boom 3 peat. Of the mature talent on Gunston was wanted by his former club. So please tell me again how Clarko inherited a team of stars and can't build a list?
Luke
Guest
Correction, roughy was recruited after he became coach
Luke
Guest
Ummm...never had to rebuild? What are you talking about. When he took over, we finished 2nd last and the next year third last. He built us from nothing to 2008 premiers...we fell in a heap and he rebuilt us again to climb to the pinnacle in 2013... c’mon buddy
Thatsashame
Roar Rookie
4 of the absolute best! And font forget, Crawford was still there, Campbell Brown was in those drafts etc. And my point remains. I want to see him coach from the bottom up. But im certain he won't.
fabian gulino
Roar Rookie
rubbish ,Essendon have got 4-5 good players out.Anything can happen.its the side who turns up match day will win.
ojay
Guest
as per my response below, your knowledge is so poor, you're embarrassing yourself. For example, Franklin only played in two winning GFs, Clarkson has won two more without him. Clarkson started with Hawthorn in 2005, Gibson was recruited in 2010. So...Fail The teams that were successful under Clarkson were a direct result of his recruitment strategy. Mitchell, Lewis, Hodge, Rough are only 4 playes out of 22. Capiche?