ASSISTANT Coach Adam Simpson says the short turnaround between games is no issue for the Hawks as it prepares to take on West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
In a quirk in the fixture, the Hawks travel to Perth to take on West Coast just six days after playing its Round 1 match against Geelong on Easter Monday.
On the other side, West Coast has had 15 days to prepare for the Hawks, having played its Round 1 match in the first week of the split opening round.
Simpson says the disparity between the days available to prepare arguably balance each other out, given sides can have too much of a break between matches.
“We’re not too concerned about it,” Simpson told hawthornfc.com.au
“Early on in the year it’s probably not as big of an issue, everyone is reasonably fresh albeit we’re coming off a tough hit out on Monday.
“There is a balance though because West Coast haven’t played a game for two and bit weeks and sometimes you can have too much of a break as well.
“I think they both balance each other out, we’re in the groove whereas West Coast might be searching for a bit more fitness because they’ve had the longer break.”
The Hawks have focused on recovery this week to prepare for the game against the Eagles at Patersons Stadium, given its match against the Cats was played at a finals-like intensity.
Simpson says the playing group has recovered well and won’t be using its short break as an excuse.
“Our players have pulled up really well from the Geelong game, the ground was a bit softer by all reports at the MCG so that always helps,” he said.
“We also trained really well on Thursday, so we won’t be looking at that as an excuse or a factor or anything, it just is what it is and the players are used to it.
“It doesn’t concern us at this time of year, if it was Round 20, it might be a different issue but I think we’re okay.”
Adding to the media interest in Hawthorn’s short turnaround is the fact the match on Sunday is in Perth, a four hour plane ride from Melbourne.
That doesn’t faze Hawthorn, however, confident it has prepared well for Sunday’s match.
“We’re experienced in this area, we’re an experienced side who travels well and we’ve taken the right measures with how we prepare,” Simpson said.
“We’re not fussed at all about having to go over to Perth.”
Adding to that condifence is the belief it has in its midfield and its ability to go head-to-head with on of the competition’s best engine rooms.
Led by All-Australian ruckman Dean Cox, West Coast boasts one of the most powerful on-ball divisions in the competition and the Hawks are expecting them to be just as powerful on Sunday.
Despite being defeated by Geelong on Monday, the Hawks won the midfield battle by winning the contested ball and the clearances by big margins.
That performance has given the Hawks midfield the confidence it needs to face off against the West Coast midfielders.
“It’s going to be a good battle, we hold West Coast right up there with the best teams in the competition,” Simpson said.
“Their midfielders are always going to be strong and our players are expecting a tough tussle in there with Cox because we’re aware of the delivery he can give their players.
“Our midfielders and our ruck division had a good weekend last week against the Cats, we dominated the contested ball and the clearances, we just didn’t finish off the good work.
“They’ve got some confidence from that game and they’ll have to confidence because it’s definitely a strength at West Coast.”
