Absence of stars a headache for Clarko

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson says his side must find a way to keep up its searing forward line pressure without injured star forwards Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo.

The Hawks are certain to lose the pair for extended periods after Rioli (medial ligament) and Puopolo (high hamstring) went down in their 67-point victory over Melbourne yesterday.

The duo will have scans today but face at least one month on the sidelines.

“They’re not going to play next week [against North Melbourne on Sunday] and I wouldn’t imagine they will play for a period of time both of those boys,” Clarkson said.

Clarkson said he was pleased with the team’s form over the first month, declaring anything was possible for his team in such an even competition.

But the forward line faces an important reshuffle as the Hawks look to replace two of their most damaging players in Rioli and Puopolo. Star youngster Ryan Burton will push for selection after he was surprisingly left out of the team yesterday on form.

Clarkson said the Hawks could overcome the loss of his two star small forwards.

“We know we have got a lot of work to do and it’s going to be harder for us now without two little jets in the front end not there,” he said.

“But we’ve got to find a way and we have done it in the past and we can do it again.”

Clarkson also lauded the bravery of full back James Frawley who played deep forward in the second half despite battling a migraine.