Fit Hawks head North
HAWTHORN has taken its entire playing list to the Sunshine Coast for a week-long training camp to round out its pre-Christmas preparations for the 2013 season.
The playing group departed Melbourne on Thursday morning, ready to sweat it out on the Sunshine Coast before a break over the Christmas period.
Utility Jarryd Roughead says the team is in good shape heading into the camp, with only a select number of players unable to take part in full training.
“Everyone has come back in good nick, we’ve only had a couple of blokes with surgeries who aren’t running,” he said at Melbourne airport on Thursday.
“To have 40 guys out there running around, they’re good signs because a couple of years ago we probably had a fair few blokes injured.
“It’s good signs early.”
Among those restricted is skipper Luke Hodge who had surgery on the troublesome knee that restricted him to just eight matches after Round 6 in 2012.
But Roughead revealed his captain would begin running shortly, such has been the success of his rehabilitation to date.
“Hodgey had a couple of surgeries but his rehab has been very good so far and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s running soon,” he said.
“Hopefully everyone has a good camp up there, no one comes back with any injuries and we can get ready to go again in the new year.”
With its eyes firmly set on its 2013 campaign, Roughead revealed the Grand Final loss to Sydney is a distant memory.
Instead, Alastair Clarkson and his team are focussed on moving forward, well aware that in the modern game, teams can be overtaken quickly.
“We’ve had three months off now, you’ve got to move on pretty quick,” Roughead said.
“The game is going so quick and everyone is moving forward that you can’t afford to stand still because next year you’ll probably be behind the eight ball.
“We’ve moved on and we’re just looking forward to next year.”
hawthornfc.com.au will provide fans with comprehensive coverage of the camp via daily diaries and feature videos, along with Facebook and twitter updates as they happen.