Hawthorn Coach Sam Mitchell has commended his playing group for driving the fightback which saw the Hawks kick eight of the last 10 goals in their 55-point loss to Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Something needed to change for Mitchell’s young side at half-time after conceding over 100 points in the opening half, but instead of the coaches driving the standards, it was the players and in particular, the leadership group.

Even more pleasing for Mitchell was the fact that the leadership group and coaching group had similar thoughts on how to kickstart the second-half fightback.

“The group that we have who lead the boys, I really feel like we’ve sort of got one mind about us,” Mitchell said.

“We’re always thinking about things the same way.”

Mitchell shouted out Mitch Lewis and Dylan Moore in particular, highlighting their leadership at the main break.

“I sort of chatted with them and said: ‘What do you want to do here boys? It’s going to go one of two ways,’” Mitchell said.

“I thought Mitch Lewis summed it up really well.

“He and Dylan Moore were saying: ‘We’re going to get out of this.’”

Although Mitchell’s coaching group presented tactical solutions to turn the game around, it was the players who created the mindset to get back into the game.  

“It’s quite difficult from the outside of the room,” Mitchell said.

“The coaches and the staff and all these people, we try to do all we can to set the players up.

“The players, they’re the ones who got us back into it.

“It’s not like the coaching group tactically got us back into it.

“It was the players who said: ‘Nah we’re better than this, were going to play in a better way.’

“I was really proud of their spirit and energy and effort.

“There’s not an easier place to turn your toes up than at half-time playing away, (with the score being) 100-20 on a hot day.

The Hawks now begin preparations for their clash with Brisbane on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.

Hear more from Mitchell’s press conference below.