COMPETITION for senior spots will help drive Hawthorn’s playing group in the final seven rounds of the home-and-away season, according to Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson.
The Hawks will head into Friday night’s clash with Carlton in third spot on the ladder, and need to continue winning in order to push for a top-two finish.
On the back of seven consecutive wins – and convincing victories against top four sides Fremantle and Sydney over the past fortnight – Clarkson said the Hawks must maintain their killer instinct.
“Our approach to this week’s game is no different to what it’s been the last two weeks,” he said.
“Four points are up for grabs.
“We expect to prepare just like we have the last couple of weeks and come out and acquit ourselves very, very well.”
With the Box Hill Hawks sitting on top of the VFL ladder, the Hawks have a number of players pushing for senior selection.
Midfielder Jonathan O’Rourke has been one of those players, and he will have the chance to prove himself against the Blues on Friday night in his first AFL match since Round 2.
But ruckman Jon Ceglar, goalkicking midfielder Jed Anderson and forward James Sicily are also among a number of Hawks performing well at VFL level and pushing for AFL returns.
Clarkson said while Hawthorn’s senior side has been in strong form, having competition for senior spots was a definite positive.
“Blokes are jostling for spots,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of players at Box Hill level who are playing really, really good footy and are probably seeing some opportunities coming towards the end of the year of trying to get into a side that’s going to play finals.”
Two experienced players – Liam Shiels and Ben Stratton – will miss through injury against the Blues, however Bradley Hill has returned to the Hawks’ side after a one-week injury layoff, alongside O’Rourke.
Clarkson said the Hawks know the Blues can be dangerous – and can ill-afford to take John Barker’s side lightly.
“They’re missing some guys that are important players for them – (Chris) Judd, (Andrew) Walker, (Bryce) Gibbs and these sorts of guys have been important players for a long time,” the Hawks’ senior coach said.
“They’re giving some exposure to some younger players, so they’re a little bit inexperienced but you can’t deny they’re having a crack.
“They’ve changed up their brand a little bit since JB’s been coaching them.
“They’re a bit more (about) possession and open use of the ball, so that’s something we need to be mindful of tomorrow when we play them at Etihad (Stadium).”
