Hawks bracing for West Coast’s dynamic duo

Hawthorn has opted against recalling Jon Ceglar to tackle West Coast’s star rucking combination of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett.

West Coast’s Nathan Vardy and Nic Naitanui work on stoppage drills in Perth

Hawthorn have opted against ­recalling forgotten ruckman Jon Ceglar to tackle West Coast’s star rucking combination of Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett in a pivotal clash at Etihad Stadium tomorrow.

With the Eagles’ combination returning in outstanding fashion this season after injury, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson seriously considered providing additional cover for Ben McEvoy.

The Hawks regularly used a dual-ruck combination during their dominant period from 2012 to 2016 and Clarkson is keen to trial the tactic again this season.

This week shaped as a significant opportunity.

Ceglar has now played three VFL games since injuring his knee in the same game Naitanui suffered an anterior cruciate tear at Subiaco Oval in 2016.

And the Eagles are the only side to play each week with two genuine ruckmen.

“We’d like to explore it, it’s just that we have to make sure our players are fit and we can tweak and adjust our system to allow for it,” Clarkson said.

Ceglar is among the emergencies should Clarkson have a rethink, with star midfielder Jaeger O’Meara and premiership defender James Frawley strengthening Hawthorn’s team in place of Kaiden Brand and James Worpel.

West Coast, who sit a game clear in top position after thrashing reigning premiers Richmond last week, opted for an unchanged side as they seek to continue their strong form.

There is much at stake for the Hawks, who have slipped from the eight after two successive losses, including last Sunday’s disappointment to the previously winless Brisbane.

The four-time premiership coach was measured when assessing the Hawks’ premiership chances in 2018 but pointed to Richmond as an example of what can occur.

“Our mantra always at our footy club is to prepare for the next piece of silverware and we are hoping that is this year but it is probably more unlikely than likely, so we can’t allow our decision making to be significantly influenced by what is going to happen at the end of this year,” Clarkson said.

“It is such a tight competition. This time last year, Richmond were five and four. And from nearly this point onward, they have taken all before them, so good luck to them. But it is possible … to bounce and bounce pretty quickly.”

The Hawks have also proven themselves capable of winning the premiership after an even start, having started 2015 in a similar vein of form.

Clarkson firmly grasped underdog status yesterday and stated the Hawks needed to improve significantly after falling away against Brisbane last week.

“We weren’t able to perform well last week. We were pretty scratchy,” he said.

“We hope to bounce well, but it will be difficult against a formidable team like West Coast.”

The Hawthorn coach can understand why some thought the Eagles would fall away given the retirements of champion players last year, but he also said this overlooked the star quality that ­remained.

This includes Naitanui, while Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling are excelling in attack, Jeremy McGovern and Shannon Hurn are among the elite defenders in the competition. Luke Shuey and ­Andrew Gaff have been outstanding through the midfield.

“Their best seven players are elite, as good as any in the competition,” Clarkson said.

“As long as their other players then play their role, I always thought they were a lot better than the bottom four that many had them predicted to finish.”

Eagles coach Adam Simpson, an understudy to Clarkson before accepting the senior role in Perth, pointed to another challenge confronting his side.

West Coast have not beaten the Hawks in Melbourne since 2006, with the streak including the 2015 grand final.

“Everyone is talking about our record against Hawthorn and can we win interstate?” Simpson said.

“All those things, they’ll be there forever because it’s an interstate game and it is hard to win on the road against anyone.”