Triple-premiership Hawk Isaac Smith says the side is set to unveil a new game style as it kicks off it's 2018 campaign against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.
Speaking to RSN’s The Breakfast Club on Wednesday morning, Smith said that the Hawks had changed their style of play in the off season despite finishing 2017 in impressive form.
“I think we’re going to be a fair bit different,” the wingman said.
“Clarko’s really adapted a few things and he’s come in with a fresh mind and open mind and really set us in a new direction.”
The unearthing last season of rising stars including Ryan Burton, James Sicily and Blake Hardwick, along with the return of Jaeger O’Meara from injury, had given the side new capabilities to evolve their game plan around, according to Smith.
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“Other than Brian Lake, Clarko probably hasn’t had a defender that marks like James Sicily so just working with adaptations like that,” he said.
“Ryan Burton his speed’s elite and he’s got a beautiful kick so working with what you can do there, you’ve got a fit Jaeger O’Meara back so what he can do in the midfield so understanding the strengths of the guys that are going to come back in and what they can offer to the team.”
Smith also said the Hawks would likely rotate a handful of players throughout games to play on the opposing wing.
”Ricky Henderson’ll be there, Liam Shiels will pop in and out, depending on who’s in the midfield.
“I think Jack Gunston has the ability to just go up and play a fair bit of wing but I think probably four or five blokes will end up rolling through… maybe Harry Morrison if he comes on a fair bit, he could play through the wing as well.”