Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell adamant his team is better than round 1 shocker

Hawthorn was the worst-performed team in round 1, but coach Sam Mitchell has downplayed forecasts of doom and gloom.

Reality bites for Hawks’ Jai Newcombe after their round 1 thumping. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says their “bitterly disappointing” loss to Essendon on Sunday is not an accurate gauge of what the rebuilding Hawks are capable of in 2023.

Mitchell’s side recorded the club’s lowest pressure rating (149) since the statistic has been recorded – their round 2 opponent Sydney was up over 200 – against Essendon and conceded six goals from just 15 forward-half turnovers.

It brought about dire predictions for the rest of Hawthorn’s season and Mitchell said his “enormously disappointed” players must improve their defensive game, pressure and ball use, which was sorely lacking.

“Time will tell but I think certainly what we think is that was not a performance that is going to be indicative of how we are as a team and the talent that is on our list,” Mitchell said.

“That is a bitterly disappointing performance and we are looking forward to be able to bounce back against obviously Sydney in Sydney, they are a quality side and they were fantastic on the weekend.

“Ours was the lowest pressure game and there’s was the highest pressure game, and that’s a good test against really strong opposition.

Sam Mitchell says his team is better than what was dished up in round 1. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I think our players were enormously disappointed in the performance and that we play better footy than that. I think some of that is first game, some of it was nerves. But some of it was system base and we need to improve the way we play as well.”

Mitchell also said the Hawks would take a cautious approach with injured forward Chad Wingard after he suffered a minor calf injury that is set to sideline him for “one or possibly two” weeks.

Wingard was unsighted on the track for the first part of training before coming out to join the rehab group, with Mitchell saying scans were positive for the injury-prone forward.

The dynamic playmaker managed just 10 games last year and Mitchell said the club was happy to be cautious with him in order to see him at his best – like his stunning goal in the first term against the Bombers.

Chad Wingard injured his calf against Essendon. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Emerging youngster Will Day also trained away from the main group doing run-throughs but is expected to face the Swans, while Harry Morrison is available after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“The scans are actually quite positive, it’s not a long time out but with his injury history we thought he probably couldn’t get up for this week anyway, but we will be quite conservative with him because of his history,” Mitchell said of Wingard.

“He’s had a fantastic pre-season, and he will be out for one, possibly two weeks … but I don’t think it’s going to be a long-term one for him which is pleasing because he has had some soft tissue injuries that have been 6-10 weeks.”

The Hawks are yet to decide on their team but Mitchell said several youngsters were waiting in the wings for an opportunity after some eye-catching performances in their VFL practice match win against Essendon.

Developing ruckman Max Ramsden kicked four goals in a standout display, while draftees Josh Weddle (23 disposals, five tackles) and Henry Hustwaite (21 disposals, seven clearances) and trade recruit Cooper Stephens (24 disposals, five tackles) were also impressive.

“Some of those boys really strong performances, so there is a few guys standing at the door hoping it cracks open for them,” he said.

Originally published as Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell adamant his team is better than round 1 shocker