HAWTHORN might be entering the Easter Monday blockbuster against Geelong with four wins from four games, but midfielder Isaac Smith says the Hawks aren’t yet satisfied with their performances.
By their own admission, the Hawks were rusty in their 48-point Round 1 victory over Brisbane in Tasmania and played a half of scintillating football against Essendon in Round 2 before limping over the line thanks to a last-minute goal from Cyril Rioli.
While their performance in Round 3 against Fremantle sent a clear message to opposition teams that the Hawks are still the ones to beat, the Dockers kicked six final quarter goals to four.
The Hawks viewed that 58-point win as an incomplete performance and despite defeating the Suns by 99 points last Saturday night, the Hawks are still searching for improvement.
“We’re not satisfied,” Smith told hawthornfc.com.au
“We didn’t play a full four quarters against Gold Coast or even Fremantle, so we’re looking forward to getting out there and hopefully putting a four-quarter performance together.
“I know that’s a bit boring but that’s what we’re ultimately out there to do.
“It will be another great challenge on Monday because they’re a very good side and we’ll need to be up and about to beat them.”
The Cats also enter Monday’s blockbuster unbeaten, having defeated Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood and West Coast in their opening four matches.
It makes for a tantalising stand alone clash on Easter Monday, which Smith believes will be decided in the midfield.
With both sides possessing strong forwards lines led by power forwards such as Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston and Tom Hawkins, the team that gives their forwards the best chance will win.
“They’re two very good midfields, two very good defences and two very good forward lines so it’ll be interesting to see how both defences go because each team have a couple of good power forwards,” Smith said.
“Whoever gets on top in the middle will probably end up winning the game, so there’ll be a bit of emphasis placed on that.”
The Hawks are expecting a tough and physical encounter at the MCG and Smith says he welcomes the challenge as it provides a precursor to the finals football he hopes to be playing in September this year.
“We’re really looking forward to getting out there,” he said.
“You always want to play against quality opposition because you aim to play finals footy and when you do play finals, the games are tough and high pressure and they’re the type of games we seem to play against sides like Fremantle, Essendon, Geelong and the list goes on.”
