While Saturday’s loss to GWS makes the run home more difficult, the Hawks’ finals hopes have certainly not been diminished yet.
Of their remaining eight contests, Hawthorn will face only two current top eight sides – Geelong at the MCG in Round 21 and Sydney at the SCG in Round 23.
The next month of footy sees Hawthorn play only teams ranked 13th or below, with the Bulldogs, Lions, Blues and Dockers to come.
However, there are certainly no easy games in footy, as proven by the Hawks’ Round 9 clash against Brisbane earlier this season. The boys will have their shot at redemption against Luke Hodge’s men in two weeks, this time at their Tassie fortress where they have won all but two of their last 25 clashes (registering one loss and one draw at the venue in 2017).
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While the Dogs may currently be ranked a lowly 14th, this week's contest presents a challenge in itself with Luke Beverage’s side coming off some strong showings. They hold off the Cats by just two points on Friday night, and fell to the Kangaroos by the same margin a week prior. This clash shapes as a 'must win' for the Hawks to stay in touch with the top eight.
As for the last month of the home and away season, the Hawks will have their work cut out for them against the in-form Bombers, Geelong, St Kilda and Sydney.
Here is what Hawthorn’s run home looks like, based on the current ladder positions:
Round 16: Western Bulldogs – currently 14th
Round 17: Brisbane – 17th
Round 18: Carlton – 18th
Round 19: Fremantle – 13th
Round 20: Essendon – 12th
Round 21: Geelong – 8th
Round 22: St Kilda – 15th
Round 23: Sydney – 4th
