HAWKS FIGHTING BACK
HAWTHORN plans to bypass a lengthy draft rebuild with Alastair Clarkson believing he can coach his fifth premiership at the club within four seasons.
The mini-resurgence in the past 10 weeks has restored hope the future is bright after a period of instability.
The Hawks were seen to be on their knees at 1-5 and without an early draft pick. They were reeling from change to four of the club’s five “pillars” — a new president (Richard Garvey), chief executive (Tracey Gaudry), football boss (Jason Burt) and captain (Jarryd Roughead).
“It’s like growing a new little tree,” Clarkson said of the heavy-duty change.
But with the emergence of youngsters Ryan Burton, Daniel Howe, Blake Hardwick and James Sicily, Clarkson — who coaches his 300th game next week — expects the on-field pain to be brief.
Hawthorn remains a chance to play finals for the eighth consecutive season.
“The whole [rebuild] strategy doesn’t need to take an enormous amount of time, as long as you don’t put a ceiling on your aspirations and hopes,” the coach said.
“It’s a difficult caper, but we’re hoping this group of players will be the next wave . . . who can help us climb the ladder . . . where we can perhaps win a flag again in the next three or four years.”
Clarkson sees similarities between the unheralded Hawks and the batch of kids formed seven years ago,
including Isaac Smith, Paul Puopolo, Liam Shiels, Ben Stratton and rookie Luke Breust.
That cluster starred in the 2013-15 flags as Clarkson built a dynasty without early draft selections.
Hawthorn activated only one first-round pick from 2009-14 — taking Smith in 2010 — as it instead traded for proven players.
The Hawks have recorded wins of substance against Sydney (SCG), Adelaide (Adel- aide Oval) and drew with premiership fancy Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.
They are the only team to defeat the Swans since Round 6. Observers crediting the revival to an unhealthy reliance on Hawthorn’s warriors should revisit the stunning upset against the Crows.
These were the match-ups: Burton (age 20) on captain Taylor Walker, Hardwick (20) on Eddie Betts, Howe (22) on Rory Sloane and Sicily (22) on Tom Lynch.
Key forward Tim O’Brien and fullback Kaiden Brand have also become regulars.
Howe also tagged Scott Pendlebury with Clarkson reverting to a more one-onone style, empowering his kids with challenging roles.
Since the bye the Hawks are averaging an extra four goals a match, sourced almost entirely from stoppages.
They have also shot from last to fifth for contested ball.
Queuing up for medical treatment at headquarters are premiership stars Cyril Rioli, Birchall, Puopolo, James Frawley, Stratton and pin-up boy Jaeger O’Meara.
“We’re just finding our way a bit with some new players in our side and giving them some roles,” Clarkson said.
“While they’re significant challenges . . . they all acquit themselves really well.”
Clarkson has also spun the magnets with creativity. He has deployed Shaun Burgoyne further up the ground, used Smith at more centre bounces and tried Shiels for bursts in defence.
Burton and Hardwick were drafted as forwards but have been reprogrammed as defenders, while Sicily has turned his career around as a backman in recent weeks.
Burgoyne, 35 in October, looks certain to play on next season. Hawthorn’s offensive ground-ball game has also picked up, which was a hallmark during its premiership seasons.