With the NAB Challenge now complete and all attention on Round 1 and the team who’ll take the field against the Cats on Easter Monday, hawthornfc.com.au looks at what we’ve learnt from the pre-season competition.
1. Jonathan O’Rourke will be a handy addition
We had to wait until the second game of the NAB Challenge to get our first look at the former GWS midfielder but it was worth the wait.
O’Rourke impressed immediately in his first hit-out at his new club, providing run and carry and a link-up option with teammate Isaac Smith on the wing in the opening minutes of the clash against North Melbourne in Shepparton.
From there, he went on to finish with 11 disposals at a very efficient 81.8 per cent along with two classy set-shot goals.
With the ability to play both inside and outside, the former number two draft pick is a classy ball-winner and he further pressed his case for a spot in the Round 1 side against the Saints on Thursday night.
O’Rourke picked up 19 disposals and kicked a goal in the 106-point win.
After the game, stand-in coach Brendon Bolton said he had done his chances at an official Hawk debut 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," he said.
Jonathan O'Rourke in action last Thursday night against St Kilda.
2. Jed Anderson is fit and firing
He’s one of Hawthorn’s most exciting prospects and it appears Jed Anderson is ready to light up the MCG once more.
After missing last season with a shoulder injury, Anderson has completed a full pre-season and has wasted no time making his intentions clear – he wants to play Round 1.
“First of all I wanted to get that first game in and now I want to give the coaches more and get in there and have a crack,” he told hawthornfc.com.au after his return.
“If it comes Round 1 and it happens, then it does but if not I’ll just go and play for Box Hill.”
He was Hawthorn’s best in the 44-point opening NAB Challenge loss to Collingwood with 26 touches, 10 inside 50s, four clearances and a goal before turning in another impressive 17-disposal effort against the Roos in Shepparton.
On Thursday he was quieter but still managed 15 possessions and laid three tackles but did nothing to suggest he won’t be right in the mix come Easter Monday.
3. Frawley is settling in but needs time
James Frawley would be the first to admit his first outing for the Hawks in the NAB Challenge opener against Collingwood didn’t go to plan.
Now three games into his new surrounding and playing alongside new teammates like Josh Gibson and Brian Lake, the former Demon is settling in nicely.
Frawley showed why the Hawks were so keen to acquire his services at the end of last season against North Melbourne and again against St Kilda on Thursday night.
A big-bodied defender, Frawley will be a critical addition to Alastair Clarkson’s team as he looks to improve his defence and even free up the likes of Gibson, Lake and even Ben Stratton to at times, fill other roles.
"We've been unable to play Brian Lake, in his two years at our club, forward at any stage – unless it's been a real pinch-hit," Clarkson said in February.
"The same with Gibson … and Stratton hasn't played another position other than in the back end.
"That's why we chased after James - to give us that flexibility."
Gibson, who has experienced changing clubs, said Frawley needs time to settle in.
“He's still finding his feet but it's like our younger guys coming up taking some time at AFL level,” Gibson said after the NAB Challenge loss to Collingwood.
"We've been really happy with his (Frawley's) progress thus far and when we all play together he'll continue to strengthen the group.”
Look out for the new Hawk defender to fill a key defensive post on either Tom Hawkins or Mitch Clark in the Easter Monday blockbuster against Geelong and continue his transition into brown and gold.
Defender James Frawley in his first hit-out for the Hawks.
4. Gibson the attacking weapon
Having said all that about Frawley, it means Gibson could be allowed to showcase more of the attacking flair he’s added to his game in the last two seasons.
Adding another string to his already strong defensive bow has taken Gibson’s game to a new level and elevated him to one of the best defenders in the competition.
With Frawley, Lake and even Ben Stratton taking the talls down back, Gibson could be given more license to set up attacks across half-back.
Already this pre-season he’s shown what he can produce if released into a more attacking role by picking up 24 disposals at an amazing 95.8 per cent efficiency against North Melbourne.
On Thursday night he bettered that performance with 28 disposals and 11 marks.
Gibson averaged 21.2 disposals from 17 games last year and could better that again in 2015.
He’s already won a best and fairest in a premiership year – one of the game’s highest individual accolades – and another outstanding year could be on the cards.
5. Mitchell is set for another big year
In football terms Sam Mitchell has achieved it all. He’s won three premierships, four best and fairest awards, been named All Australian twice and even finished runner-up in the Brownlow Medal.
At 32 years of age and with an impeccable reputation as one of the game’s best ever midfielder, no one would begrudge Mitchell of taking his foot off the accelerator.
One look at his form over the pre-season so far and it becomes glaringly obvious the champion Hawk won’t be doing any such thing.
GM – Football Operations, Chris Fagan said last week “Sam Mitchell never looks like he misses a beat,” and that’s certainly true of him so far this pre-season.
Mitchell played in each of Hawthorn’s three NAB Challenge matches after another solid pre-season and looks ready to again assert himself on the competition.
He had a team-high 28 disposals and was one of Hawthorn’s best against Collingwood in Tasmania, 21 against North Melbourne and 33 against St Kilda in a typically brilliant performance to round out his preparation for the season proper.
Despite a two-month hamstring injury last year, Mitchell still managed a stellar season and hopefully, will be able to produce more of that outstanding football in 2015.
Sam Mitchell picks up one of his 28 touches against Collingwood.
6. Young guns continue to rise
Two of Hawthorn’s most exciting youngsters appear set to take another step forward in 2015 if their pre-season form is anything to go by.
Bradley Hill enjoyed an outstanding season last year - where he won his second premiership in just his third season of footy – and developed into one of Hawthorn’s biggest attacking weapons.
He ranked second for average inside 50s at the club last year and was at his damaging best forward of centre on Thursday night with a game-high 10 inside 50s from 27 disposals.
Then there’s Will Langford… where do we start?
His finals series last year was outstanding but the challenge now is to translate that breakout form into consistency across 2015’s 22 home-and-away rounds plus finals if the Hawks make it.
Langford had 24 disposals and laid six tackles against the Saints and even kicked a snap goal to show off his class.
He’s been another player to have a strong pre-season and with his explosive pace from packs, could again add another dimension to the Hawk midfield.
