A RETURN to the MCG and a solid week on the training track is set to have the Hawks primed for Friday nights semi-final against Adelaide, according to defender Brian Lake.
Speaking on SEN’s breakfast show, Morning Glory, Lake admitted the Hawks’ efforts against West Coast were below what was expected, but that the side was better for the run and will be desperate to make amends in their do-or-die clash with the Crows.
“I think a lot of guys, including the senior players, didn’t have great games on the weekend,” he said.
“Just uncharacteristic mistakes – kicks, handballs missing targets, execution was definitely the major thing but decision making as well.
“But guys are going to be better for the run…getting back to Melbourne and playing on the MCG where we play some reasonably good football, the guys are going to respond, we’re going to have a good training session today and we’ll be back up and firing on Friday night definitely.”
While the Hawks very much play a team defence, Lake indicated that he’s likely to spend time on Crows forward Josh Jenkins after keeping him to just one goal from eight disposals in their Round 12 encounter.
“I probably had more Jenkins for that game and did reasonably well…so he’s probably a better match up for myself, but it really depends on how they structure up," he said.
And with mobile key forward Jack Gunston under an injury cloud, Lake says he’s ready to play wherever he may needed whether it be forward or following the Crows’ tall forwards up the ground.
“I know Roughy mentioned that I probably haven’t got the fitness for a full forward or a centre half forward but my running capability is the best its been since I’ve been at Hawthorn so I can still cover the ground reasonably well," he said
“I’ve spent most of my time as a defender deep inside 50... so that’s probably where I do my best work but I’m not too fussed about playing higher up the ground, you could probably take a few more risks when you’re up there with your marks and running off as well.”
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