While it's been tough going at AFL level, Hawks fans can be optimistic at the effort and intensity regularly on display in Hawthorn's scrimmages.
Sunday's hit out against the Eagles was no exception, with the up-and-coming Hawks - duly assisted by a handful of senior figures - putting on an impressive show.
First-year Hawk Josh Morris kicked off the scratch match with a bang; by the end of the first term, he already had a tidy bag of four goals.
"I felt like I had a pretty strong performance which was good," Morris said after the match.
"I've been speaking closely with the coaches and they just want me to bring contest in the air and on the ground, bringing the pressure, and hopefully hitting the scoreboard comes along with it."
Jonathon Patton was also force up forward in his first game back from a hamstring injury. Patton piled on the scoreboard pressure and presented plenty of options to his young teammates.
Receiving solid supply from developing ruckman Ned Reeves, fourth-year midfielder James Cousins continued to prove his dominance in the clearances.
Mat Walker made some strong steps forward with a couple of goals, while Paul Puopolo was solid for the Eagles (yes, you read that right) finishing with a pair of goals. Given limited West Coast player availability, a handful of Hawks pulled on the blue and yellow to line up against their Hawthorn teammates.
With a couple of senior spots up for grabs this week through injury, the Hawks selection panel are sure to be looking closely at the scratch match vision as they debate who is deserving of an AFL call up when the Hawks meet Port Adelaide this Saturday in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
