Struggling Hawks at the crossroads

The second oldest list in the AFL now finds itself in uncharted territory and pressure is mounting on Hawthorn to finally commit to a lengthy rebuild.

The dejected Hawks walk off Giants Stadium after losing to the Demons. Picture: Getty Images

The dramatic crossroads awaiting Alastair Clarkson and Hawthorn is coming to a head, after a rampaging Melbourne continued the Hawks’ horror show in Sydney.

It must suddenly be getting close to decision time for the super coach and the modern day giants about what the future holds at Hawthorn after three consecutive big losses was rounded out by a 43-point spanking by the Demons on neutral territory at Giants Stadium.

The second oldest list in the AFL now finds itself in uncharted territory and pressure is mounting on the Hawks to finally commit to a lengthy rebuild at the draft.

But the million dollar question is if Hawthorn do bow to a rebuild, is Clarkson the man to see it through?

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson during the game. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Clarkson was a picture of frustration in the coaches box for much of the 14.7 (91) to 7.6 (48) carve-up, with cameras often capturing him either swearing in disgust or head in hands as the Demons ran Hawthorn ragged in every department.

Talk has been swirling all week since former Hawks premiership star Jordan Lewis questioned whether Clarkson would have the “energy” for a lengthy knockdown and rebuild.

Kane Cornes went a step further on SEN radio on Sunday, calling on Clarkson to step aside, while on Triple M, AFL great Wayne Carey said Hawthorn must ask themselves a frank question about whether the playing group needs a fresh voice after all these years.

Former St Kilda and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he would like to see Clarkson challenge himself with a new assignment at another club.

The sun sets over Giants Stadium during the Hawthorn-Melbourne game. Picture: Getty Images

Crunch time is nearing, with Fox Footy expert Jonathan Brown labelling the Hawthorn side “unwatchable”.

If Hawthorn needed any further evidence about what a rebuild can bring, the Demons laid it out for them with the performance of their young brigade.

It was goals to Sam Weideman (pick nine), who kicked three for the match, Luke Jackson (pick three), and Kysaiah Pickett (pick 12) which put the icing on the cake for Melbourne on Sunday.

Christian Petracca (pick two) and Clayton Oliver (pick four) were among the best on ground for the Demons.

Melbourne have now joined Hawthorn on three wins, but back-to-back triumphs against the Hawks and Suns has shown there is plenty of life in the Demons start despite their poor start.

It’s the first time since the 1990s that the Demons have won three in a row against Hawthorn.

Hawthorn kicked the first goal of the match, before the Demons quickly asserted their dominance to kick the next five straight.

Melbourne’s Harley Bennell, centre, celebrates a goal with Christian Petracca, left, and James Harmes at Giants Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

The Demons led by 30 at halftime before Hawthorn staged a mini-recovery early in the third quarter to peg back the advantage to just three goals.

But rather than wilt under pressure, Melbourne continued to back their fluid ball movement to hold up, and a steadying goal to Weideman virtually put Hawthorn to bed.

A second goal for Pickett restored the halftime margin and by three-quarter time the Demons were surging to the finish line with a 42-point lead.

The Demons dominated territory and were far too intense around the ball for the Hawks.

Forward 50 pressure and tackling put Hawthorn under the pump and they had no response.

Hawthorn’s injury dramas have been compounded after key forward Tim O’Brien limped off the field early with what looked like a serious left ankle injury.

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Already missing Jon Patton for several weeks with a hamstring problem, O’Brien looked in a high degree of pain and emerged from the dressing rooms in a moon boot and on crutches.

The move to the Queensland hub cannot come quick enough for Clarkson and the Hawks.

Aside from their picturesque beachside location in Coogee, there hasn’t been anything for Hawthorn to take away from Sydney – and there’s still another week to go.

If Hawthorn can’t get up to beat a decimated Swans side – who showed real enterprise in their narrow loss to Gold Coast – when the teams on Saturday at the SCG, it will end their Sydney stint at 0-4.