Sam Mitchell’s honeymoon period as coach might not last long given the amount of work he has to do. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
HAWTHORN
2021 record: 7 wins, 13 losses, 2 draws (14th)
THE INS
Max Lynch (Collingwood), Josh Ward (Northern Knights), Sam Butler (GWV Rebels), Connor MacDonald (Dandenong Stingrays), Jai Serong (Gippsland Power), Ned Long (Northern Knights), Fionn O’Hara (Westmeath – GAA)
THE OUTS
Shaun Burgoyne (retired), Tom Scully (retired), Jonathon Ceglar (Geelong), Jonathon Patton (retired), Tim O’Brien (Western Bulldogs), Oliver Hanrahan (delisted), James Cousins (delisted), Michael Hartley (delisted), Damon Greaves (delisted), Keegan Brooksby (delisted), Harry Pepper (delisted)
THE STRENGTHS
Despite being maligned by some sections of the footy community, Hawthorn’s midfield “big three” of Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara and Chad Wingard really came to the fore in season 2021, finishing first, third and fifth respectively in the Hawks’ best-and-fairest. Liam Shiels, Daniel Howe and James Worpel were also good contributors in that part of the ground. Jarman Impey starred in defence after returning from injury, and the backline will be boosted further by James Sicily and Will Day, who are also coming back from serious injury this year. The emergence of Jack Scrimshaw and Changkuoth Jiath down back was very exciting as well. Jacob Koschitzke and Mitchell Lewis are a promising, young key forward tandem, and their development will only be enhanced with a fit and firing Jack Gunston in the side after he only managed one game in 2021. Luke Breust continues to shine up forward and Dylan Moore looks like he has cemented a spot in attack after a breakout season with 27 goals. Remarkably, five of the Hawks’ seven wins in 2021 were against finalists, the most memorable of which was their stunning 27-point triumph over eventual runner-up the Western Bulldogs in Tasmania in Round 22. And one of their two draws was against eventual premier Melbourne. So they showed that when they applied themselves they could be a very hard nut to crack.
THE WEAKNESSES
Once a bastion of off-field stability, that all went out the window last year for Hawthorn with the extremely messy departure of four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson. After 18 years in the job, Clarkson’s record-breaking reign at Waverley Park came to an abrupt end amid a failed handover agreement with successor Sam Mitchell that lasted all of 24 days. And while Clarkson coached out the remainder of the season, not dropping a game in his final four matches, including wins over Brisbane and the Bulldogs, as a final reminder of his prowess, Mitchell’s start date was brought forward 12 months. The “cherry on top” of the fiasco was Clarkson having the final year of his contract paid in full (a reported $900,000). Hawthorn higher-ups were clearly banking on Clarkson taking one of the vacant coaching jobs at Carlton and Collingwood so they wouldn’t have to also part ways with such a massive chunk of change, but why would Clarkson work for that money when he could just take it for doing nothing? It really was horribly handled by the club. And Mitchell’s honeymoon period might not last very long either, because he has plenty of work to do. He’s inheriting a team that was ranked 13th for offence and 15th for defence in season 2021. The Hawks get plenty of the ball, and were ranked fifth for disposals on differentials last year, but what they actually do with it is a major issue. And while they ranked fifth for tackles, they came in at No.14 for contested possession and 15th for clearances, meaning they’re second to the ball too often in a disputed situation. The extension of that is that the Hawks ended up 15th for inside 50s conceded to the opposition. They really need to do something about their aerial power, too, because they ranked 17th on differentials for contested marks in 2021 and 15th for marks inside 50 – a figure which wasn’t helped by the fact they were 16th for total inside 50s. It could definitely be argued that a contributing factor to the state the Hawks find themselves in was the recruiting strategy under Clarkson in his final few years. Between 2016-2019, their highest draft pick was 13, as they continued an aggressive pursuit of readymade players from rival clubs, ignoring the best young talent in the country in the process.
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.
ONE TO WATCH
Day might have only played 16 senior games, but he already has the Hawthorn faithful abuzz with the quality he looks set to add to their backline for years to come. If not for a pair of significant ankle injuries suffered last year, the defender would probably already be spoken about as the next big thing heading into season 2022. The Hawks have got themselves a beauty here, and if he manages to stay on the park more often than not, Day could easily have a significant breakout season this year.
UNDER THE PUMP
It’s time for Lewis to deliver on his enormous potential. The Hawks really need him to stand up as an impactful key forward. Heading into his sixth year and at 23 years of age, Lewis has only shown glimpses of what he could possibly achieve on a regular basis for the Hawks. Yet he’s never kicked more than 22 goals in a season, and averages just over a goal a game from his 36 matches to date. He needs to put together a career-best year in 2022 as he continues to build his chemistry with Koschitzke.
BEST 23
B: Will Day, Denver Grainger-Barras, Sam Frost
HB: Jarman Impey, James Sicily, Blake Hardwick
C: Liam Shiels, Tom Mitchell, Tom Phillips
HF: Chad Wingard, Mitchell Lewis, Dylan Moore
F: Jack Gunston, Jacob Koschitzke, Luke Breust
R: Ben McEvoy, James Worpel, Jaeger O’Meara
Inter: Jack Scrimshaw, Changkuoth Jiath, Daniel Howe, Harry Morrison, Lachlan Bramble
Emerg: Ned Reeves, Kyle Hartigan, Conor Nash
The return of Sicily, and Grainger-Barras getting more of an opportunity, pushes Hartigan out of the best 23. Bargain pick-up Jai Newcombe might not be in the starting line-up at the moment, but will definitely be pressing for selection after showing impressive signs last year. Tyler Brockman and Finn Maginness should be thereabouts as well.
Ronny, your analysis strikes me of someone who doesn’t have many real insights as to what is going on at the club.
What is clear from the club, from what is said inside the club, was Clarkson was shot, he knew it, the club knew it, and it was time to go. This isn’t a weakness, it’s now a strength. They also recruited the best coach not coaching AFL according to all the media last year.
Mitchell’s preferred team, with his players, was what enabled Hawthorn to finish strongly last year. Clarkson was a figurehead only. Mitchell was de facto coach. Hawthorn lost fewer games than Carlton, and should have won the two they ended up drawing.
There is now incredible energy at the club under Mitchell.
The right decision was made, and it’s not a weakness.