Clarkson’s Hawks come back from the dead

Hawthorn snapped a four-game losing streak and continued Carlton’s rollercoaster run.

Hawthorn’s Jarman Impey grabs a mark in the Hawks’ remarkable comeback win against Carlton at Optus Stadium in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says trying to divide the Hawks is a “fruitless exercise” after his players showed resolve and rebounded from a horror month with a breakthrough win against Carlton, 14.5 (89) to 9.4 (58), on Friday night.

The four-time premiership coach said his club had been “bashed from pillar to post” during a four-game losing streak that saw his willingness to rebuild the ageing list questioned.

Clarkson said the scrutiny on Hawthorn’s performances had been warranted, but everyone at the club was on the same page.

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“Most of it (criticism) has been directed at me, so that’s been a little fortunate in that the players have been sheltered from it,” Clarkson said.

“But trying to push a divide between anyone at our football club is a fruitless exercise really, because we are so strong and tight from the board right through to the coaching area and the players.

“We know where we are going. At the appropriate time, if we think we’re not going in the right direction, we’ll pivot and go in a different direction.

“Those sort of nudges and pivots, we have been making for 15 or 16 years and if we need to do so again, we will.”

Clarkson said the Hawks showed their true capability on Friday, coming from 31 points down in the first quarter to win by 31 points at Optus Stadium.

He said he was pleased for the players and staff after the sacrifices they had made to relocate to the Perth hub, where they will remain for matches against Fremantle and West Coast after a bye in Round 10.

“We’ve been getting bashed from pillar to post everywhere, including on the ground. But for the resolve of the group to stand up when you’re five goals down 20 minutes into the game, it says a little bit for the group and the character of them,” Clarkson said.

“It’s reward for a lot of people who are doing a lot of hard yards.

“They know their hometown of Melbourne is doing it really tough at the minute with the virus and the escalating concern there and that has concerns for our immediate family and a lot of family and friends.”

Clarkson said the Hawks would take no risks with champion Shaun Burgoyne, who left the ground late with a tight hamstring. He praised the return of “spiritual player” Jarman Impey, 12 months after he tore the ACL in his right knee.

A disappointed Carlton coach David Teague rued the Blues’ poor ball-use during the crucial second quarter, which saw Hawthorn kick a run of six unanswered goals.

Teague said the Blues lacked a spread of contributors, with star midfielder Patrick Cripps fighting an even Hawthorn midfield and finishing with a team-high 27 possessions and eight clearances.

“We didn’t have enough guys get their job done today. As simple as that,” Teague said.

“I thought we probably lacked a bit of composure at times from guys who have been really strong in that area.”

Prolific Hawks midfielders Tom Mitchell and James Worpel spearheaded the important win that could turn their season around.

The Blues, who will rue repeated turnovers when the game was on the line, continued their unpredictable 2020 and are yet to win back-to-back matches this season, missing a chance to move into the top eight.

It was triple-premiership star Burgoyne who got the tide to turn in the second quarter, racking up nine possessions and three inside 50s as the highly scrutinised senior Hawks got moving.

Jack Gunston, Liam Shiels and Isaac Smith all lifted as the Hawks went on a thrilling seven-goal run, pouncing on the Blues’ repeated turnovers and running the ball forward in a no-fuss style that paid dividends.

Smith was superb during the surge, converting a set shot from 50m on the boundary, and later getting on the end of a Chad Wingard handball to kick the goal that put them ahead for the first time.

Herald Sun