A column written for you by former Hawk, and full time Hawks fan, Jack Fitzpatrick.
So we’re officially underway in season 2018, folks, and what a round it was. As we all know, defending premiers Richmond (that still sounds strange) played Carlton on Thursday night and I really feel like this game set the tone for the round – and hopefully the season. The footy was fast and frenetic, there was a lot of aggressive and exciting ball movement, and some superstars of the game shone with some outstanding performances. Here, I give my take on some of the action from round one; both from a Hawks perspective, but a broader perspective as well…
Brownlow medallist second best?
Dustin Martin – the man who won everything but a Nobel Prize last year – was very good on Thursday night, particularly when the game was there to be won. The Tigers got off to a slow start, but recovered to run out comfortable winners against a gallant Carlton side. Dusty looks ready to back up his big 2017, and prove he’s well and truly in the best two players born on June 26, 1991 (along with yours truly, of course).
Thank God for a 9 day break
As Hawks supporters, we need to be thankful for our extended turn around before we play the Cats this Monday, because if Tom Mitchell didn’t end up in hospital with leather poisoning after Saturday night, I’ll go he! Our number three had 29 touches in the first half on Saturday night. TWENTY NINE! To then go on and break the all-time record for most possessions in a game is a huge effort, so well done Tommy. I’m just glad you have plenty of time to recover from your leather poisoning so that you can line up in our traditional Easter Monday clash against the Cats!
Oh, by the way... anyone trying to say that Tommy’s touches aren’t effective enough, or that 54 touches doesn’t really equate to a huge bearing on the game… give yourself an uppercut. Fair dinkum.
Hawks as dangerous as ever
We looked so dangerous going forward on Saturday night. Punky (Luke Breust) was excellent with his four goals; Gunno looked darn menacing. Poppy was his usual dangerous self and Shauny Burgoyne showed that he is going as well as ever. Shoey played his role and my old locker buddy Ricky Henderson chipped in with a couple of goals as well. This is all before I mention two of our old favourites, Roughy and Cyril; I mean, how good was it to have Cyril back in the team? It was the first time we’ve seen Cyril since Round 8 last year, which is coincidentally the last game I played. If you compare us now, Cyril was running around tearing it up on the MCG, whilst I was sitting on the couch eating a packet of chips. You could almost do one of those ads on TV… “Compare the pair”. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
Anyway, I could go on and on about our forward line, but the point is that it looked every bit as menacing as it has in the past 10 or so years.
A side note whilst on the forward line: A big congrats to Poppy on his 150th this week – very well deserved. An underrated player amongst the competition, but certainly not within the four walls at Hawthorn!
Lord Voldemort puts on a show
Those of you who are familiar with the Harry Potter books and movies will know that Harry’s adversary – Lord Voldemort – is so feared that people are scared to speak his name. As such, he is commonly referred to as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, a phrase also reserved for a certain former Hawk. It is not through fear of this man that makes me reluctant to utter his name, but more so the chance that it may open up old wounds amongst our Hawks faithful…
But, I’m gonna do it… how good did B-b-b-buddy Franklin play on the weekend?! I know some of you may still shudder to see him in the red and white, but – in my not so humble opinion – Buddy is still the most exciting player in the competition to watch, and when he puts on a show like he did at the new stadium in Perth, it really is hard not to admire!
Whilst on the topic of shuddering, it was so, so strange to see our beloved Luke Hodge in the maroon, blue and gold on Saturday afternoon. I genuinely wish Hodgey all the very best in his time up north, but the scoreboard currently reads Hawthorn 1 – 0 Hodge. Sucked in, Hodgey!!
Influential Isaac?
During James Frawley’s bucks party and wedding, there were a few players from different AFL clubs all spending time together. The Hawks and Dees are obvious, but there was also some Collingwood representation, with Jeremy Howe and Lynden Dunn now plying their trade in the black and white after leaving the Dees. I know that mostly everyone got on really well, but what I didn’t realise was the impact that Isaac Smith could have on players from other clubs.
As I enjoyed the Melbourne v Geelong game on Sunday afternoon, a sense of déjà vu hit me as big Max Gawn marked strongly with seconds remaining; a good mate of mine was having a shot to win the game against Geelong at the city end of the MCG. Does this ring any bells? Unfortunately for him and the Dees, big Max missed, handing Geelong a fortuitous victory. One thing became very clear to me very quickly – Max must have spent more time with Isaac at these events than I realised!
Don’t worry boys… not all of us can kick a match winner at the city end of the MCG…
That’s all I have for now. I’m currently swamped with uni assignments which I need to get done before the long weekend. As always, feel free to submit your feedback (good or bad), or suggestions on where I can focus my attention next, to either @HawthornFC or @jfitzpatrick_t1 with the hashtag #FitzysFocus
