ASSISTANT Coach Cameron Bruce says the Hawks will take plenty of positives from today’s four-quarter match-play session.

With just over a week to go until the Hawks’ first NAB Challenge game, match simulation training has ramped up at the Ricoh Centre.

“We were pretty happy with the way the boys performed,” Bruce said.

“We were pretty happy with the way the boys performed. We’ve been doing a little bit of match practice throughout training, and we’ve had some conditions that haven’t been ideal – a little bit wet and slippery – so to get a good day where the boys could highlight their skills and build some confidence was really good.

“You just want to keep improving.

“(It’s) always good to get that (match practice) under the belt and hopefully it will prepare us pretty well for what’s coming, the NAB Challenge.”

Bruce said there were a number of young Hawks pressing their case for selection against Carlton on Thursday week.

“We’ve still got a fair bit of time before the real stuff starts, so it’s good for guys that are wanting to try to cement a spot in the starting line-up to prove themselves, and for the experienced players, to blow the cobwebs out and get back to playing some good footy,” he said.

“There’s some really exciting guys coming through that are going to be pressing for spots, guys that haven’t been so familiar to the supporters.

“Jono O’Rourke performed well, Dan Howe (was also good), Jack Fitzpatrick’s come into the side and did some good things today and James Sicily I think kicked a handful of goals.”