IN THE lead-up to Hawthorn’s final NAB Challenge hit-out against St Kilda on Thursday night, stand-in coach Brendon Bolton called for a lift in intensity from the players.

Yet to record a victory in this year’s pre-season, the Hawks picked a near full strength squad in what would be almost a full dress rehearsal for Round 1.

Bolton got what he asked for from his chargers from the outset, as his players put the young Saints to the sword with their dashing run and polish up forward.

It was the Hawks' intensity which pleased Bolton the most, satisfied by the reigning premiers' tackling and ability to force turnovers in their attacking half of the ground as they stormed to a big victory over the Saints.
 
"We asked for a raise and it's a building block towards round one, and we were really pleased with the output," Bolton said after the game.
 
The Hawks now have a two-and-a-half week break before their first game of the home and away season against Geelong on Easter Monday, and Bolton said the club's driven playing group would see them maintain their fierce approach.
 
"We're fortunate we've got a lot of experienced players who understand how to train when there's a gap between games," Bolton said.
 
"We play a lot of match simulation drills through all of our training and I think that will continue."
 
Aside from the familiar faces of the Hawks' back-to-back premiership wins, it was a couple of youngsters who caught the eye on Thursday night for the club.
Recruit Jono O'Rourke gathered 19 disposals and was especially classy early, while James Sicily was substituted into the game in the second half and immediately showed some spark near goal.
 
Bolton said O'Rourke had done his claims for a round one berth no harm.
 
"He's come into a new system and is holding his own. We're really pleased more so with how much he wants to learn and buy into what we're doing," Bolton said.
 
"He asks a lot of questions at training. He didn't just come in and go quiet and sit in the background. He's got on the front foot, asked questions and is wanting to learn so he's making some steps forward."