HAWTHORN Coach Alastair Clarkson says he’ll be using the NAB Challenge to get valuable minutes into his players ahead of the season opener against Brisbane on March 22.
The Hawks, ironically, take on the Lions in the first of three NAB Challenge matches on Thursday night at Etihad Stadium.
In the revamped pre-season format, Hawthorn will play three practice matches before Round 1 but only one match, against Melbourne, in the month leading up to the game against the Lions in Tasmania.
Thus, Clarkson says, these matches are more important than ever, with a limited period to achieve match conditioning in preparation for the season proper.
“It’s really just about getting some game time into them and getting ready for Round 1 of the season,” he told hawthornfc.com.au on Wednesday.
“We’ve got to be mindful – it’s not all about the young players getting an opportunity, we also need to sprinkle some experienced guys in there to make sure we’ve got the amount of minutes into our players’ legs so they are conditioned to be able to withstand the rigors of the first game of the season, which is always a fair old shock to the system.”
The Hawks have named an experienced side for Thursday night’s clash but with a splash of new blood.
Of the Club’s younger brigade, draftee Billy Hartung has been named for his first game after being selected with pick 24 in November’s National Draft, while Mitch Hallahan and Will Langford have been labelled players to watch.
“We have a series of young players that are playing that have been in the Hawks system for a couple of years now – Hallahan is playing, Langford is playing, Woodward is coming back from his knee and Suckling too,” Clarkson said.
“It’s just great that these lads can get the brown and gold back on and strut their stuff.”
Hartung is the only player picked up by the Hawks in the National Draft to be named for the first match, with fellow draftees Dayle Garlett (pick 38) and James Sicily (pick 56) missing out on selection.
The 19 year old, recruited from Dandenong Stingrays has excited the Hawks, with his pace, endurance and skills impressing over the summer.
“He’s (Hartung) been able to do most of the work – he’s a real professional in the way he goes about it,” Clarkson said.
“We’ve been delighted with all those boys who have come into our system, but he’s the one at the present time who gets his opportunity.
Knee victims Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward will also be making their long awaited returns after spending over twelve months on the sidelines.
With 37 days until Round 1, Clarkson says the Hawks are in a good place.
“Our players are well prepared and ready to go,” he said. “We just hope for an injury-free NAB Challenge campaign.”
