Clarkson plays percentages
HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says percentage will play a critical role in his club’s finals fortunes after leapfrogging Geelong into seventh spot yesterday.
The Hawks kicked seven lastterm goals to gain five percentage points in a 72-point win over Carlton, going from 114 to 119.04.
Tagger Daniel Howe will likely miss two weeks for an off-the-ball punch on Carlton star Patrick Cripps, the strike hitting him in the neck and bottom of his jaw.
But the Hawks will regain Shaun Burgoyne for the trip to Perth to take on Fremantle next week.
Clarkson was visibly frustrated coaching from the bench in the third term as the Blues poured on four straight goals.
But he was eventually content with a win where young midfielder James Worpel (32) possessions was superb and Tom Mitchell logged three certain Brownlow Medal votes.
His 46-possession day, including nine tackles, nine marks, two goals and 12 score involvements, was masterful.
“It was important for us today. We were average last week and we needed to bounce back and play a better brand of footy,” Clarkson said.
“It’s so tight, so (percentage) is important. In terms of what we wanted to get out of the game, we were pleased we got the win and Worpel came into the side as a midfielder and he made a really strong contribution for us.
“Games like that are important to get the four points and a bit of percentage, so we are still trying to find that group of players who can get us back up the ladder and try to challenge.”
Clarkson said he had not seen the incident involving Howe and Cripps so had not felt the need to counsel him on its impact.
“I didn’t see it and I didn’t speak to him about it either. I thought it was another one of those belly punches but the league will look at it and what will be will be.”
Jaeger O’Meara was a late out with hip soreness and yet will return to a side that showed it bats deeper than many believed.
“We are hoping it’s just a week. He irritated the hip through the course of the week,’’ Clarkson said.
“Burgoyne has missed his four (games) now, so if it had been midcareer he would have played this week. He trained strongly through the course of the week.”
He was pleased Mitchell could maximise his 46 touches, the coach adamant pure possessions do not always mean much.
“He was able to hit the scoreboard but he took ground with his possession, which was pleasing.”
He also lauded Paul Puopolo’s four-goal, 22-possession effort, adamant he still had his speed and pressure after a quieter year.