With the JLT Community Series this weekend, AFL writer Marc McGowan has run his eye over what Hawks fans should expect ahead of the clash with Brisbane in Burpengary on Sunday.
Players to watch
James Cousins: Cousins was quickly touted as Tom Mitchell's replacement when the Brownlow medallist broke his leg in mid-January. The inside midfielder's excellent performance in last week's practice match against Carlton showed he is tracking along well ahead of the new season.
Harry Jones: The midfield bolter. Jones is entering only his second season, is yet to play an AFL game and remains slight, but has earned his teammates' and coaches' respect with a strong summer.
Mitch Lewis: Looms as a long-term key forward for the Hawks after an impressive VFL season last year. He will be looking to make every post a winner to be any chance of Round 1 selection.
What's new
Sam Mitchell's return after two years as a player then assistant coach at West Coast has received a lot of attention at Waverley Park over the pre-season, as has the recruiting of Chad Wingard and Tom Scully. Mitchell is overseeing the Hawks' midfield in 2019. On a light-hearted note, Ben Stratton's and Blake Hardwick's much talked-about mullets are gone, replaced by more closely cropped dos.
Missing
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell (broken leg), ex-Giant Tom Scully (ankle) and four-time premiership star Grant Birchall (knee) won't be sighted in the JLT Community Series. Scully and Birchall hope to join the main training group in the coming weeks. Draftee Jacob Koschitzke (finger) will be touch and go, too. Jack Gunston (ITB friction) is likely to be held out of Hawthorn's JLT opener, but is a chance to play against Richmond on March 9.
