Q1: Will Alistair Clarkson’s legacy be determined by how his fateful decision to jettison club stalwarts, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis, turns out? Probably not.
Q2: Will Hawthorn’s 2017 premiership chances be determined by that decision? You betcha.
There is no doubt that the ’17 Hawks are a team in transition and one much different to the teams that have taken the field for the brown and gold over the past few years. How different, and the effect of this difference, will be one of the most intriguing AFL propositions of 2017.
The Hawks have some concerns going into the season (notwithstanding the aforementioned trades of Mitchell and Lewis). Speedy wingman Brad Hill departed to Fremantle, Roughead is coming back from a year layoff whilst boom recruit Jaeger O’Meara is even further back after having missed two years of football. Then there is the pressure on players previously regarded as role players to step up and take a bigger role, being players such as Billy Hartung and James Sicily. Add that to a greater reliance on the ageing bodies of experienced trio Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson and Luke Hodge, and it’s clear that the Hawks will have a number of questions left unanswered heading into the season proper.
Best 22
FB: Grant Birchall James Frawley Taylor Duryea
HB: Shaun Burgoyne Josh Gibson Luke Hodge
C: Isaac Smith Liam Shiels Billy Hartung
HF: Cyril Rioli Ty Vickery Jack Gunston
F: Paul Puopolo Jarrod Roughead Luke Breust
R: Ben McEvoy Jaeger O’Meara Tom Mitchell
Int: James Sicily Ben Stratton Ricky Henderson Ryan Burton
On paper, the Hawks look dangerous with depth across each line. Their midfield and forward structures would still rate as at least above-average, if not elite. However, it is their midfield and once much vaunted depth that carries the most queries. Gone are premiership stalwarts Mitchell, Lewis and Hill and in their place are O’Meara and Tom Mitchell. Although these trades may make the Hawks a better long-term proposition, there is no denying that such decisions will make their midfield weaker in 2017. In particular, if any injuries come to Shiels, Mitchell or O’Meara then there are not many quality midfielders waiting in the wings to replace them.
Game Splits
Thursday: 2
Friday: 2
Saturday: 10
Sunday: 7
Monday: 1
Key Games
Round 2: Hawthorn v Adelaide
The first real test for the Hawks will come quick as they face Adelaide in round 2 at the MCG. With Adelaide criticised for not bolstering their midfield and Hawthorn adding young talent and subtracting mature talent, this game will not only tell us where Hawthorn is as a club, but also how their midfield is stocked. Expect that after this game the football public will get a better read on how the season will progress for the Hawks.
Round 4: Hawthorn v Geelong
Hawthorn v Geelong games are always blockbusters and the first installment will be no different. Following last year’s two point loss against the Cats in the first week of the finals, which saw Isaac Smith miss a shot at goal after the siren, the Hawks will be looking for payback. Not that they really need any extra incentive, given the Hawks and Cats have played in a countless number of epic battles since former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett’s’ infamous comments in 2008 where he explosively claimed that the Cats did not have the “mental drive” to match Hawthorn.
One thing that can be assured in season ’17 is that the Hawks v Cats match will be a hard-fought contest until the bitter end.
Round 23: Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs
Will this game determine whether the Hawks make-or-miss the top 4? Or will this game determine whether the Hawks make-or-miss the eight? Either could be true and either could be false. What it will show though is whether the Hawks have the cattle to match it with last year’s premiers, round 23 being the first time the two play each other for the season.
Young Gun: Ryan Burton
Drafted at pick 19 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, Burton played 4 games in 2016, including the qualifying final against Geelong. Likened to Bulldogs premiership player Jake Stringer, Burton kicked five goals for South Australia in the 2014 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships which had him touted as a possible top-five draft selection. A broken leg and dislocated kneecap later, Burton found himself off draft radars and recruiters boards.
Fast forward to 2017 and Burton shapes as a possible starter for Hawthorn in their round 1 opener against Essendon. Standing at 191cm, Burton boast a high leap and a smart football brain, one that would fit right in alongside Jack Gunston and Luke Breust.
Underrated: Jaeger O’Meara
Many may consider having O’Meara rated as underrated a surprising statement given the fanfare that surrounded his arrival, together with the price tag he attracted (both in trade value and contract dollars). However, O’Meara has not been seen for two years which subsequently saw Hawthorn attract a lot of criticism for recruiting him. What these people tend to forget though is that O’Meara is a ball winning machine who oozes class and, if his knees give him the opportunity, has the potential to be a future Brownlow Medallist.
Don’t be surprised too if by round 6, O’Meara has well and truly not only cemented his position as the best midfielder at the Hawks, but also is leading their B&F count.
Overrated: Ty Vickery
Vickery is a solid performer but that does not justify the price tag Hawthorn paid for him (irrespective of the possible strategic machinations surrounding the size and duration of said contract). At Richmond, Vickery was much maligned and more often than not, failed to deliver. Many consider that a move to Hawthorn will free his mind of any demons and allow him to get the best out of himself. Whilst this may have philosophical merit, it does not necessarily have practical merit and mean that Vickery will automatically blossom into a forward capable of kicking 40+ goals a season.
As it stands, paying $500,000 per season and pinning your hopes on a forward with the statistical output of Vickery is a huge risk, and one that justifies Vickery’s tag as overrated.
The JLT Star: Kade Stewart
Stewart has played two strong games for the Hawks so far in the JLT community series, including the game-winning goal after the siren against Geelong in the series opener. His second year, the 20-year old Stewart has enjoyed increased midfield time as well as playing through the forward line where he is the only Hawk to have kicked multiple goals in both JLT series games.
A skillful left-footed midfielder, he may need another summer in the gym before he is able to play regularly for the Hawks, however if he performs strongly again this weekend then don’t discount him for round 1.
Ladder prediction: 6th
A fall, but not as far as many are predicting. The Hawks still have game breakers across the field, to go with leaders and experience in abundance, two important and underrated qualities. Their forward line will be potent thanks to the return of Roughead and their core defensive unit unbroken, to be led again by Burgoyne, Gibson and Hodge. Right them off at your peril.