HAWTHORN Vice-Captain Jordan Lewis says the six day turnaround between matches has given the Hawks no choice but to move on from their disappointing loss to the Swans.

The Hawks take on an improved St Kilda on Saturday night, and Lewis says his teammates can’t wait for the next challenge.

“Being a six-day break, you can’t really dwell on the loss too much, so this week is another great challenge for our midfield,” Lewis said.

“We’ve really got our hands full this weekend and we’re up for the challenge.”

Beaten in the contested ball and tackles against the Swans, Lewis believes that the second-half has acted as a wake-up call to teammates.

“As a midfield, and as a team in general we really pride ourselves on contested ball, tackling and the really hard and in-and-under stuff,” he said.

“The first half was really good, we controlled the ball but in the second half we just didn’t bring it.”

The Saints boast a number of dangerous midfield options - including superstars Lenny Hayes, Brendon Goddard and Leigh Montagna, players that the Hawks will need to stop on Saturday night.

But Lewis says the key to defeating the Saints delves deeper.

“Their midfield (is a strength) but they’ve got two big key forwards in (Nick) Riewoldt and (Justin) Koschitzke up there who can take a mark and kick goals,” he said.

“(And) also their backline, with the rebound that Sam Gilbert and Sam Fisher provide (is dangerous).

“I think all areas have got their work cut out for them but in saying that, we’re pretty confident we can match it with them.”

Riewoldt will be another big test for the Hawks’ defence on Saturday night, but it will take a team effort to reduce the Saints’ skipper’s influence.

Lewis says, that pressure on the ball carrier will limit St Kilda’s opportunities going forward.

“To really control the midfield battle, if their midfielders are allowed time and space, Riewoldt is probably going to get a lot of the ball,” he said.

“If there’s pressure on and we have opportunities for backmen to help each other out, we’ll be concentrating on that.”


Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.