Quick Glance at 2011
Hawthorn’s 2011 season will be forever defined by their heart-breaking preliminary final loss to Collingwood. In a season, which yielded only four home and away losses, the Hawks came away from 2011 with nothing to show for their efforts. Despite being struck down by injuries (particularly to their big man stocks) Alastair Clarkson managed to unearth some young talent who stepped up to AFL level. Liam Shiel, Matt Suckling, Paul Puopolo and Isaac Smith all announced themselves to league football proving their worth at AFL level by becoming regular contributors by season’s end.
The emergence of these young players was complimented by outstanding seasons from some of the Hawks’ more senior players. Sam Mitchell won the club’s best and fairest award, Lance Franklin acquired his second Coleman Medal and key-defender Josh Gibson led an inexperienced defence for most of the season.
For 2012, like last year, Clarkson will be hoping he can develop another two or three young Hawks to add make the step up to AFL level whilst continuing to see his senior leaders carry on their impressive 2011 form.
Key Players:
Lance Franklin. A bona fide star of the competition Franklin holds the aces to Hawthorn’s premiership ambitions. The two-time Coleman Medallist has the ability to turn a game and win it single-handedly. ‘Buddy’ also has the ability to play almost anywhere on the ground and if pre-season is to go by then we can expect to see the Western Australian playing further up the field in 2012.
Luke Hodge. Hodge is invaluable to his side. As captain, Hodge is one of the best leaders in the AFL and his impact on his side cannot be measured in stats alone. Over the years Hodge has played many roles for the Hawks however he is at his most effective when in Hawthorn’s engine room – the midfield, combined with short stints up forward. The re-emergence of defender Stephen Gilham from knee surgery and the recruitment of young Box Hill defender Jarrad Boumann has strengthened Hawthorn’s backline and will mean this season Hodge will be able to be released more in the midfield where he is most dangerous.
Jarryd Roughead. Before going down in Round 12 with an Achilles injury, Roughead along with midfielder Sam Mitchell was one of the best performed Hawks to the midpoint of the 2011 season. With the Hawthorn’s big man stocks already stretched, Clarkson needs his forward/ruckmen out on the park as quickly as possible in 2012. Roughead managed two games in pre-season making an appearance in Hawthorn’s final practice match against Fremantle in Perth as well as playing 80 minutes in Hawthorn’s VFL affiliate, Box Hill’s round one clash against Sandringham. The big forward will sit out Hawthorn’s round one clash with Collingwood but is expected to appear in the second or third week of the season.
3 Most important games
Round 1, v Collingwood (MCG)
Round 2, v Geelong (MCG)
Round 4, v West Coast Eagles (Patersons Stadium)
The Hawks will be looking to hit the ground running in 2012 as a tough beginning to the season awaits Clarkson’s side. In a month, which could very well define their season, Hawthorn face the three fellow top four sides from 2011. Two wins from these three crucial encounters would go a long way to handing the Hawks another top four spot this season. The round two, Easter Monday against Geelong looms as a mouth watering clash with the Hawks still yet to defeat the Cats since their 2008 Premiership triumph.
What to expect in 2012
Nothing but a premiership will be viewed as successful for Hawthorn in 2012. With what is widely regarded as being the best list in the competition the Hawks’ premiership window is wide open. So long as their ruck division can stand up against the competition’s elite expect to see Hawthorn thereabouts when the whips are cracking in 2012.
Ladder Prediction
1-4.
Jonathan Demos is a third year Bachelor of Journalism student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @jldemos
