Simply over a 12 months in the past, on this very Friday slot, we unpacked the Hawks’ potential and determined that they’d be enjoying finals this season, regardless of a lowly end being on the playing cards for the tip of 2023.
Now, in 2024, they’ve made the numerous leap, they’ve captured hearts alongside the best way they usually’re the darkish horse various neutrals have determined to leap on.
The query is, simply how far can they go this season?
Whereas there’s no bias concerned, it’s clear that in scripting this, there’s a long-standing, real perception within the Hawks and Sam Mitchell, significantly should you learn the above hyperlink.
The fashion of footy hasn’t actually modified that a lot from the seven-win season, and even sooner than that, it’s simply extra professionally polished, barely tweaked and more and more adaptable.
Mitchell’s bought that traditional Clarko in him, having taught many gamers to play throughout completely different strains, protecting playing cards up his sleeve in any respect factors and by no means exhibiting his hand.
If you happen to observe the Hawks on social media, you already know they in all probability have the quickest rising model on a number of platforms – they’re not at GWS’ degree, however the snippets we get of this group are ones of camaraderie and luxury, togetherness and solidarity.
The post-match selfies, the bane of many an opposition supporter’s existence, are dripping with the vibes of a largely younger group having enjoyable.
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It screams the OKC Thunder doing post-game interviews all along with their notorious barking. Critical when it’s sport time, enjoyment when it’s over.
It’s that chemistry that has helped elevate Hawthorn right into a finals spot and has seen them fly previous rival golf equipment that have been seen as higher positioned for this season, in addition to develop into a severe risk to even the highest groups on any given day.
It’s simply that, the premiership window for the Hawks hasn’t even opened but.
Very similar to the aforementioned Thunder, Mitchell’s enjoying with home cash in 2024. They made finals as a result of they’re a well-structured, well-put-together enjoying group.
The 2024 AFL season can be the closest we’ve seen in years. There is no such thing as a dominant, standout group. Every group has a believable avenue to reaching the final word glory. Every group additionally has points that may be exploited by higher groups, or higher coaches.
Extra to the purpose although, the Hawks aren’t meant to be contending proper now, which is a large hazard signal for the competitors.
This offseason is the place the strikes have been all the time going to be made.
Tom Barrass isn’t an elite key defender, however in the appropriate system, he’s a superb addition who can man the larger our bodies and permit intercept defending to flourish, one thing he’s actually good at himself.
Properly, color us shocked – that is the appropriate system for Barrass.
Jack Gunston celebrates a aim in his 250th AFL sport. (Photograph by Morgan Hancock/AFL Images/through Getty Pictures)
Then, there’s Josh Battle, an elite interceptor who, like James Sicily, is flexible.
Hypothetically, they’re two elite readers of the play who’re good at floor degree and may pinch-hit in assault. Neither have to play key defence to be part of the again six/seven.
That’s necessary.
Jack Scrimshaw has been the standout defender for Hawthorn this 12 months, however him being freed up as a person is even higher.
Greater than something although, if there’s a criticism of the Hawks, it’s the shortage of a star midfielder and key ahead, with out Mitch Lewis accessible.
If solely Barrass joins, and even Battle does too, the reply to the midfield query is Josh Weddle. It isn’t fairly appreciated simply how proficient the 20-year-old is. He’s the midfield mover of the long run.
However this isn’t all in regards to the offseason, we will speak about that one other time, or on social media. That is about whether or not or not the Hawks can win the 2024 premiership earlier than they even enter their window.
Of their 23 video games this season, Hawthorn has performed its fellow finalists on 9 events and received simply 4 of those video games.
For reference, they performed the eventual backside 4 groups seven instances this season and annihilated them each time, enjoying an enormous half of their eventual share enhance.
It’s necessary to acknowledge this, not solely as a result of it’s each Hawthorn-hater’s favorite statistic, however the truth that it’s true, this group did profit from what was in hindsight, a good higher draw than anticipated.
The Hawks didn’t qualify for finals on the again of seven wins although, did they? Good groups beat unhealthy groups simply and infrequently, in ruthless vogue.
That’s why Sam Mitchell’s group did.
Nick Watson celebrates a aim. (Photograph by Darrian Traynor/Getty Pictures)
That covers how they bought right here, however will they trigger injury in September?
This group’s key forwards are three-club key ahead Mabior Chol, and 19-year-old Calsher Expensive, with an enormous of help from veteran Jack Gunston.
Hardly a world-beating, feared lineup.
But the numbers inform us this group was ranked third for anticipated scores this season, was top-six for pictures per inside 50 and fourth for tackles inside 50.
Chol is without doubt one of the greatest tackling and aiding massive males within the league offensively, Dylan Moore and Jack Ginnivan are above common and Nick Watson discovered his ft within the again half of the season.
Connor Macdonald as a half-forward flanker is among the many most hard-working, well-rounded varieties in that place, your complete midfield brigade was rated above common offensively and your complete group is improbable and profitable the unfastened ball.
Defensively, they’re undersized and early on, have been undermanned, but they conceded the fourth-fewest pictures, the third-fewest inside 50s and allowed amongst the fewest tackles inside 50s within the league.
All of their defenders have been rated no less than above common in one-on-ones. Sam Frost’s transformation from loose-cannon to dependable lockdown veteran have to be admired.
Lloyd Meek was the most important improve the Hawks have had within the ruck division for a very long time.
The Hawks used width fantastically effectively and aimed to stretch the opposition vast to search out area within the hall.
Sure, significantly within the ultimate month of the season they averaged essentially the most disposals, they usually’re the perfect kicking group within the league, however it’s additionally true that these numbers married up with being extremely rated for metres gained.
Mitchell’s Hawks are protecting of the ball within the again half – however in a really deliberate approach.
The usage of angles, deciding when to tackle the robust kick, the willingness to maneuver it ahead, that is what he desires, and what no different group can match.
It’s a group that lacks star energy, however is maybe the perfect pure group within the league for that very purpose.
So positive, they will problem for the flag.
But the elimination ultimate they discover themselves in is in opposition to the group that’s maybe Hawthorn’s hardest challenger on this type of sport.
Towards every other group within the prime eight, in a knockout sport recent off a bye, the Hawks would win. Actually in opposition to Brisbane and Carlton, they’re merely a approach higher group.
But there’s concern in opposition to the Bulldogs. It’s a steep problem that’ll take the whole lot out of Hawthorn to win.
Naturally, the horrifying trio of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy is nearly inconceivable to comprise, significantly for whereas glorious, an undersized key defensive unit.
In that case, it’s a matter of proscribing the liberty of motion out of stoppages for the Bulldogs, because the Hawks have accomplished all 12 months to guard their defence.
Will Day’s health is an unknown at this stage and he’s actually the one swing issue at play. Nobody else can guard Marcus Bontempelli and observe him round as successfully as Day can.
The Hawks’ excessive half-forward will push up the bottom as ordinary. Macdonald, Moore and Ginnivan will attempt to flood the stoppages to limit Adam Treloar’s impression, or Tom Liberatore’s clearance work.
The Bulldogs will attempt one thing comparable with their outdoors/half-forward varieties, guys like Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel, Ed Richards.
All nice customers, all robust to defend.
The Hawks received’t have too many points offensively, significantly given it’s at floor degree they intention to assault. This sport can be received or misplaced for Hawthorn with how effectively they will defend the center.
Rain will clearly assist nullify the important thing ahead triumvirate of the ‘Canine and convey the Hawks again into it.
One factor’s for sure although, Sam Mitchell and Hawthorn received’t be overawed by any event. They’re a fearless mob, the new-era Hawks.
They’ll tackle any problem.
It’s why this contest is such a win-win. Both they’ve a crack and lose, prime up with some nice gamers and enter their window as perennial contenders.
Or they get all that, after a win, after which the bracket opens up. They’re a greater group than each Geelong and Port Adelaide.
Something’s doable.
2024 has been a season like no different in footy. The unpredictability of the highest groups has opened up the enjoying subject for everybody concerned.
At that time, it could come right down to who the perfect coach is and which group’s chemistry is functioning totally in September.
We knew the Hawks have been destined to play finals in 2024 and assault the flag past that. Now, they face the hardest doable problem to maintain their September alive.
Get by way of that, and the dream is greater than alive.
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