AFTER four straight losses it was good to finally have a win on the weekend against the Tigers.

There were patches where we lapsed, but overall it was an improvement. We felt that we’ve played some good footy over the past month but have not been able to find the consistency required at times.

It was good to see Beau Dowler step up as a forward option on the night. He gave us another avenue to goal and he took some good marks and made the most of his opportunities.
 
With Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead usually occupying the key forward spots for us, you might wonder if there’s enough room for another big bloke down there. I think there is room for anyone who can kick or help create goals and provide really strong defensive pressure.

As long as Beau or anyone brings those two traits to the table then there is always going to be a spot for them. He had a tough first couple of years and has taken a little while to get going but it just shows that persistence pays off.

The big challenge for Beau now is consistency and to keep improving his game.

Another great story is Max Bailey. He played his first senior game for three years on the weekend after two serious knee injuries and it was great to have him out there. It has been a tough road for him trying to stay positive. He has kept grinding away and finally getting some reward for all the hard work.

We’ve got a huge game against Essendon this week and our fate has come down to this. Essendon v Hawthorn contests are always willing. There is a really good rivalry between the two clubs and both sides have plenty to play for.

Two blokes who might make a comeback over the next couple of weeks should our season still be alive are Roughy and Mark Williams.

Roughy is rehabbing really well at the moment from his knee injury. It all depends on how well he runs in the next little while. It is hard to say at this point in time when he’ll be back. He may be a chance next week if we make it to the finals. The injury was in a non-weight bearing area so it gives him every opportunity to come back quickly. We’ve got to do the right thing by him and get to work this week against the Bombers.

Willo is a chance over the next couple of weeks. He is probably going to have to play some competitive football before he plays in the ones just because he has been out for some time. But time will tell.

Finally I’d like to pay tribute to someone who has been a crucial part of the Hawthorn Football Club for the past couple of years.

I was fortunate enough this year to inherit a forward group that had been so well drilled by Damien Hardwick. I was also lucky enough to be coached by him as the forwards coach towards the end of my own playing career and can see just how much knowledge he can give to a playing group.

He has been a great assistant coach at Hawthorn and I’m sure he will be a terrific senior coach at Richmond.

I wish him all the best.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.