AFL 2024: Hawthorn toys with sending Blake Hardwick forward as Mitch Lewis hobbled again

Key forward Mitch Lewis has been struck by another setback for the Hawks, but a reliable defender could be sent to the other end as part of a magnet flip. JOSH BARNES has the latest.

Hawthorn training at Waverly park. Blake Hardwick Picture: Hawthorn FC

Blake Hardwick has emerged as a surprise option to reshape Hawthorn’s forward line as spearhead Mitch Lewis works through another injury setback.

Lewis rolled his ankle on Saturday and was limited to a stationary bicycle at training on Monday, with visible strapping on his lower left leg.

The full-forward was hobbled by a foot injury that delayed his pre-season start but he is expected to make a recovery from the ankle blip in the next two weeks.

A reliable and much-admired defender who has kicked just eight goals in 147 matches, Hardwick has impressed veteran forward Luke Breust in a new role at half-forward.

Breust compared Hardwick’s running patterns to GWS star Toby Greene and Collingwood flag-winner Jamie Elliott, with the hard nut using his kicking skills well up the field.

Blake Hardwick could be chucked forward. Picture: Hawthorn FC

Chad Wingard and Mitch Lewis on the bike. Picture: Hawthorn FC

“It’s certainly a pleasant surprise to me to not play on him at training, he is one of the more difficult guys to get off, no wonder he does such a good job on opposition smalls,” Breust said.

“He will bring a completely different look to our forward line, I imagine more of a Toby Greene, Jamie Elliott type role. Really strong on the lead up, really strong in the contest, can put pressure on as well.

“And the other thing with ‘Dimma’ is his kicking as well. If he gets the ball around 50, I am certainly loving leading to him at the moment.”

If Hardwick was shifted forward full-time, coach Sam Mitchell could have a hard time finding room in attack, with recruits Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston and Jack Ginnivan joining Nick Watson as goalkicking options alongside Lewis, Breust and half-forward Dylan Moore.

Changkuoth Jiath was back at Waverley. Picture: Hawthorn FC

“I will leave that to the selectors to work out,” Breust said.

The 528-goal small forward said he had been taken by No.5 draft pick Watson and Collingwood premiership player Ginnivan, with the pair showing off their footy smarts already.

“As a small forward you have to be crafty and get to the right spots, you have to be clean with your hands so (in) one take,’ he said.

“They just have a good feel for how the game is played and spatial awareness and leading patterns.”

JIATH JUMPS BACK INTO IT

Changkuoth Jiath was full of energy in his first session of 2024, after spending his Christmas break in Qatar working on a groin issue that held him back last year.

Jiath showed plenty of his trademark run and jump on the track.

“He is moving well, confident in his body again,” Breust said.

“He still obviously has to get to work upstairs and get stronger in the areas they identified but if he can do that, he gives himself the best chance.”

Ky Burgoyne in Hawks colours. Picture: Hawthorn FC

Veteran Chad Wingard did some running on his long road back from an achilles tear and appears to be tracking well.

A familiar face was in the brown and gold, with Shaun Burgoyne’s son Ky training with the Hawks, alongside AIS Academy member Christian Moraes.

Midfielder Will Day was in the club’s gym and in a moon boot after being hit with a stress fracture last week.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Hawthorn toys with sending Blake Hardwick forward as Mitch Lewis hobbled again