Hawthorn Senior Coach Sam Mitchell has praised his group’s hard work after the Hawks won their third straight game to continue their unbeaten start to the season on Thursday night.
Speaking after the 20-point win over Carlton at the MCG, the Hawks coach insisted there was still improvement left in his team as he looked ahead to their next big challenge against GWS on Saturday night.
We summarised the key points from his post-match press conference below.
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On handling momentum and big games
“I think the maturity of the group and how we've handled momentum this year shows some growth. When you see the progression of the team over the past couple of years, there have been things that we've worked on and seen improvement in. I think that's why I'm rapt for the players. It's been a pretty solid start to the season for us: Friday, Friday, Thursday. All big games, lots of eyes. The way we've handled momentum in those games, I'm really pleased we've been able to make progress. We know if we want to get where want to go, we have to beat the best sides and handle momentum swings. We've made significant progress in that area.”
On the 3-0 start to the season
“It’s a good position to be in and we’re fortunate that we’re here. We’ve worked really hard to get to this point but it’ll mean nothing depending on what happens next. I think Bill Belichick always says, ‘You win one in a row’, so three times, we’ve won one in a row. It doesn’t get any easier, we’ve got GWS next, that’ll be another big game for us but we’ve worked hard, we’ve improved our game and we’ve gotten better at some aspects. We’ve got more improvement to do to end up where we want to go.”
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On Connor Macdonald’s injury
“It is disappointing for him. I'm not sure exactly what the ankle injury is. He'll have a scan (on Friday) and we'll work it out from there. Obviously 'Worps' is out now. Jack Scrimshaw is going to miss a couple more too. We are fortunate that the depth is pretty good, so if we lose Connor, there will be a replacement.”
On Josh Ward’s performance
“I think Josh Ward was fantastic - I thought his running power, his skill and ball use tonight was first class. I thought players like him really helped tonight. I thought he had fantastic running power, he really was able to create a lot of threat to the opposition with his run. He would’ve started the season disappointed that he wasn’t in the team ... (but) if you’re not in the side, opportunities invariably come up, and the fact that ‘Wardy’ has been able to take his like that is, I think, a great reward for effort.”
On Changkuoth Jiath’s return
“I think with someone like CJ, he’s such a finely tuned athlete. He’s obviously got a physical profile that is magnificent. But what comes with that is some injury risk so he has to be so much more diligent than most. The level of professionalism needed because of the profile he has is at a level that not many of us understand. I couldn’t be more proud of what he’s done to get to this point. Is it all going to be smooth sailing? Who knows, I hope so. But all I know is that he’s got a great level of commitment to making sure that he has the best possible career and season that he can. I’m rapt to have him in the team. He played such an important role for us tonight and I thought he really stepped up when he needed to tonight.”
Watch Mitchell’s full press conference below
