While Hawthorn's senior side was preparing to do battle against Richmond, those Hawks that missed out on senior selection did battle with the Tigers reserves at Punt Rd on Thursday afternoon. 

The sides had 14 players on the field each with two rotations making for a gruelling session as the match wore on.

But, taking over the coaching reins in his first year at the club, Hawthorn Development Coach Andy Otten said, despite the foreign structure of the game, the Hawks players adapted well.

"It was a really good team performance considering the unique circumstances, but they seemed to really embrace all of that," Otten said. 

"We mentioned it was their opportunity to play for the first time in quite some time and really put themselves on show.

"We just wanted them to compete and that's what impressed the coaches the most throughout, they went about it the right way. 

"I think they just enjoyed playing together and competing for the first time - they're probably sick of playing against their own teammates!"

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Otten pointed out a number of stand-out players for the Hawks, including some that are amidst their first year in the brown and gold. 

"Joshy Morris really impressed everyone with his contest work and his intensity around the ball and his willingness to find some body and then compete really hard.

"Michael Hartley was really vocal and led the team really well from down back with his set-ups and his positioning, his ability to win his one-on-ones as a defender was really impressive as well.

"For a lightly-framed young fella, Will Day put his body on the line multiple times and his ball-use was really good coming out of the back half.

"Harry Jones as well in the midfield, his ability to win the ball and then burst out of the stoppage was really strong and his ball-use was really good as well.

"Mitch Lewis was good as well, he looked really sharp with his movement, his aerial work was really good as was his follow-up work on the ground."

As well as an array of on-field performers, Otten made mention of a few off-field helpers who also stood up to help out under the bizarre conditions the game was played under.

"We had Dylan Moore and Darren Minchington as boundary umpires, Will Golds and Changkuoth Jiath as goal umpires and Jarman Impey, Conor Nash and Dan Howe were the assistant coaches!

"So, it was all hands on deck with all players that weren't playing.

"It was really good for those guys to help out and I think it speaks volumes of those guys."