Hawthorn missed out on Stephen Coniglio, but should be chasing his teammate Lachie Whitfield, writes Mick McGuane
Hawthorn missed out on key target Stephen Coniglio when he re-signed with GWS, but it’s another Giant who should be in the Hawks’ sights, writes Mick McGuane. SEASON REVIEW
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Hawthorn’s pressure remains one of its greatest strengths, but a downturn in scoring hurt the team’s bid for a finals berth this year.
The Hawks’ pressure is still in the highest category, boasting the second best pressure differential of any team in the competition.
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Under coach Alastair Clarkson, they have been ranked in the top 10 for this measure since 2010.
It’s a sustainable brand, players buy in and they all understand that when the opposition has got it you have got a job to do to maintain high pressure at the source of the ball or the ball carrier.
The Hawks have been highly efficient when they go inside 50, but this year there was room for improvement because of personnel change. They ranked in the bottom six for goals per inside 50s this season.
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A downturn in scoring from Jack Gunston, who went from 51 goals last season down to 26, Luke Breust, who went from 54 goals to 34 and Paul Puopolo, who only kicked 10 goals from 22 games this year — half his output from 2018 — was telling.
We know in their forward line there is a changing of the guard.
Mitch Lewis is an emerging young talent.
Among the key forwards 20 years or younger he sits number one for goals, second for score involvements, marks and contested marks.
He is the clear replacement for Jarryd Roughead.
Tim O’Brien went forward late in the year and he kicked 12 goals in his last five games, so at 25 years of age they should give him an opportunity to grow in one position now.
What’s the plan if they recruit Giant Jonathon Patton? Does that stifle their growth or is the three and three structure the forward line they want to look at? That will be really interesting to see what happens there.
The midfield group didn’t have the oomph I thought it would this season, but the absence of Tom Mitchell hurt.
James Worpel was a positive and Jaeger O’Meara was strong, but they just ran out of numbers there.
Among players 20 years or younger, Worpel sits number one for disposals, contested possessions and clearances and highlights what an emerging player he is.
James Sicily has had a great year and will probably win their best and fairest.
He seems a lot more comfortable behind the ball even though he has got that ability to be a swing player. He’s such an elite kick, he’s got that ability to turn defence into attack.
They desperately need another midfielder and they should make a strong pitch for Lachie Whitfield.
He complements their age demographic and that group of midfielders can grow together.
He is a star and gives them that outside influence. They should also look at entertaining an intercept defender to complement Sicily.
Chris Cavanagh reviews the Hawks’ campaign
HAWTHORN
The wins — best five in b & F
1. Ricky Henderson
2. James Sicily
3. Jaeger O’Meara
4. James Worpel
5. Liam Shiels
Henderson’s second half of the year was not as glittering as his first half, but he may just win his first club best-and-fairest at age 31. Sicily was a consistent performer in defence, O’Meara produced a career-best season, Shiels continued to be underrated outside the Hawks and Worpel filled the void of injured star Tom Mitchell and produced a super second half of the season.
The losses
1. Paul Puopolo
2. Chad Wingard
3. Ben Stratton
Puopolo remained a good pressure player this year but dropped off significantly offensively, kicking just 10 goals from 22 games including three from his last 10 games. Wingard picked up late in the season but the high-profile recruit was hurt by injuries earlier in the season. Stratton struggled in his first year as captain, dropping off in every key statistical area for a defender.
The kids
With the Hawks having waved goodbye to key forward Jarryd Roughead, Mitchell Lewis shapes as the future in attack and showed some good signs kicking 20 goals in his 12 games. The Hawks will also be hoping fellow key forward Tim O’Brien can further develop after a strong finish to the year.
2020 forecast
It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do during the trade period, having been linked to a few players. They will get Brownlow Medal winner Tom Mitchell back from injury next year which will be an immediate boost, and have some good young developing players. Expect them to again be in the finals mix.
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