Rebounding Crows pose threat to Clarkson’s ambitions

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson (right) believes Round 1 opponent Adelaide is capable of making major strides this season.

Clarkson is also not ruling out a top-four finish for his team, running against the weight of commentary that suggests the Hawks will battle to be seen in September.

The master coach’s reference point is West Coast, seen as an outsider last season until saluting with its fourth flag.

“They were selected to finish in the bottom four even with (Nic) Naitanui, (Andrew) Gaff and (Brad) Sheppard in their side and they win the flag without those three guys,” he said.

“Funny things happen in footy and we’ll just see what unfolds. We jumped a bit ahead of the pack last year. Can we sustain it this year? I’m not too sure.

“But that’s the beauty and intrigue of the season and why 85,000 people rocked up to watch Richmond and Carlton.”

Hawthorn has won all three of its contests against the Crows at Adelaide Oval, but Clarkson is predicting a tough fight this afternoon.

“They’ll be fired up and ready to atone for what they would have thought was a pretty disappointing year for them last year,” he said.

“On paper Adelaide’s midfield looks much more superior than ours.

“They’ve got a fantastic ruckman in Jacobs and they’ve got high-class ball winners across the ground.

“If there’s a top-heavy inside 50 supply to Adelaide . . . we’re going to be in a bit of trouble.”

Clarkson also said it would not be long before recruits Chad Wingard and Tom Scully were seen in brown and gold.

Wingard has been held back by a calf injury, while Scully came from GWS with a well-known ankle issue.

The Hawks backed themselves to get Scully fit enough to contribute, and that could be as early as Round 3.