Hardwick: Fun, flair key to Hawks’ finals charge

Hawthorn has been dubbed the ‘Hollywood Hawks’ on its way to being the AFL’s most watchable team. But what you’re seeing now is no different to when they started 0-5. Blake Hardwick reveals why.

Blake Hardwick in action against Fremantle at UTAS Stadium earlier this season.(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The games are getting more serious as a finals spot beckons, but Hawthorn’s Blake Hardwick believes allowing their youngsters to showcase their fun and flair has been instrumental in their revival.

After starting the season with five straight losses, the Hawks only need to beat second-last North Melbourne in Launceston on Saturday to seal a finals berth.

They’ve won ten of their past 12 matches and can secure a clean sweep of four wins in Tasmania for the first time since 2016.

They’ve been dubbed the ‘Hollywood Hawks’ with the likes of Jack Ginnivan, Nick Watson and Jarman Impey not afraid to celebrate exuberantly.

Hardwick, 27, re-signed with Hawthorn until the end of 2029 earlier this season. He’s adamant coach Sam Mitchell’s willingness to let the team have fun with their football is a major factor in their charge towards September.

“It’s a bit tricky sometimes, but as a younger group we play well when everyone’s showing that flair, joy and the celebrations,” Hardwick said.

“We’re trying to keep that, but we also know how serious games are now. The moments are bigger and there’s a bit more pressure, but we want to keep that confidence the young boys show, and through finals if we get there.

“It’s been a big reason we’ve turned it around since a 0-5 start. But even then when we weren’t going so well we still had those celebrations and the joy, we just weren’t getting the results.

“Now we’re winning it’s brought up in the media a bit more, but it’s something we had even when we weren’t going so well.

“Nothing’s really changed too much, apart from belief and confidence in a young group and riding that momentum. It’s an amazing thing, belief and momentum.”

Hardwick also praised Mitchell’s proactiveness in helping the Hawks get their season back on track.

Blake Hardwick takes a mark against Richmond last week. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

In their last game at UTAS Stadium against Fremantle in round 19, Mitchell moved James Sicily from defence to up forward and the skipper booted three goals in a 13-point win. 

Hardwick himself, as well as youngster Josh Weddle, have also been shifted up forward from defence at times with great success.

“In the pre-season I trained as a forward, now I don’t really know (where I’ll play) going into games,” he said.

“It’s more how the game pans out and as we’ve seen with Wedds (Weddle) and Sic (Sicily) as well, if we need a different look someone gets thrown down the other end.

“Sam’s got probably the best footy brain I’ve seen. His IQ around the game is very strong, that’s his strength as a coach.

“He’s always up to try things and a couple of times it’s worked. Throwing Sicily up forward against Fremantle probably won us the game in the end.”

While they’ll start hot favourites against the Roos, Hardwick said they’re determined not to stumble at the last hurdle.

“We know if we lose a game we’re probably not going to make it, probably for the last month,” he said.

“We know how important every game is and this last one, we have to treat it like a final.”

Hardwick is confident the Hawks can continue their momentum without star midfielder Will Day, whose timeline to return is unclear after hurting his SC joint in last week’s win over Richmond.

The Hawks only won one of six games when Day was out injured to start the season, but if adamant they’re far better placed to adjust now.

“We have some solid midfielders who can fill that role. We’ve got (Jai) Newcombe, (James) Worpel, (Connor) Nash in there, and I’m sure those guys will get the job done,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve played a fair bit of footy without him (Day) in there.”

Originally published as Hardwick: Fun, flair key to Hawks’ finals charge