It’s no secret that the Hawks are currently experiencing a lull after a long period of sustained success that resulted in back-to-back-to-back premierships. 

However, a quick glance at team statistics may leave one scratching their head and wondering how Hawthorn find themselves in 15^h position on the ladder, with four wins and seven losses, at the half way mark of the 2017 season.

The Hawks’ poor form has been purported by many as a lack of hunger, however in two of the statistics that suggest one is working hard to earn the ball – one percenters and total tackles – Hawthorn are sitting pretty ranking first and fourth respectively compared to other teams. While one might argue that this is because the other team are getting to the ball first, Hawthorn’s impressive results in these categories from '13-'15 suggest this isn’t always the case.

During their premiership years, the Hawks made the most of their opportunities in front of the sticks, leading the competition in goal accuracy from ’13-’15 (53.8, 57.1, 55.9), before slipping just behind West Coast in 2016 (53.4), and holding onto a respectable fourth spot in 2017 (52.5). Of course, opportunities this year have been fewer and farther between, but the boys seem to make the most of them when they come.

It’s not just in front of goal that the Hawks are accurate with the ball – they have not slipped below second in the league in terms of disposal efficiency since 2010.

So, with so many positives, why do the Hawks now find themselves four and seven after 11 rounds for the first time in over a decade?

Well, clearances seem to be one of the biggest issues. While Hawthorn was among the top three clearance sides from ’13-’15, the team slipped to sixth last year, before falling again to ninth at the 2017 half way mark.

Contested possessions is another area of decline. While the Hawks, by Alastair Clarkson’s own admission, have never placed a great emphasis on contested ball statistics, the rapid decline across the last two years is a cause for concern. The Hawks placed fourth, second and second from ’13-’15, but have slipped to 11^th and 12^th in the past two seasons.

Read: How do Hawthorn's U22 players compare to the competition?

Finally, while the Hawks ranked among the top three sides for marks inside 50 in each of their premiership years, they are now sitting in the uncomfortable position of 17^th, in front of only current wooden-spooners Brisbane. 

One thing that is not represented in stats, and a trait that many had come to love of the Hawks, is that ‘unsociable’ aggression that unsettled opposition sides and helped fuel the brown and gold towards premiership success.

After Jaeger O’Meara got close attention from his old side during the Round 3 clash with Gold Coast, Liam Shiels admitted the boys didn’t rally around their teammate and give him the support he needed. When Luke Hodge copped a James Parsons elbow to the jaw in Round 4, the response from his teammates was far more subdued than it would have been in years gone by.

So, where have the unsociable Hawks gone? Yes, there have certainly been glimpses of it in 2017 (remember that fiery first quarter against the Swans?), and it seems when the ‘unsociable Hawks’ come to play, wins tend to come too. But those glimpses have been sparse in 2017.

The Hawks must find some fire in the belly (and of course- some more clearances and marks inside 50) if they are to claw their way back to within finals contention, starting with this Saturday’s clash with the Suns.

Read: Who's in the mix for Round 12?