There was plenty to hang your hat on as a Hawks supporter on Sunday.
Yes, we may have ultimately succumbed to Richmond by a 29-point margin but a closer look at the numbers suggests that difference might be more easily reeled in than some may anticipate.
For starters, Hawthorn notched up a clear win in the disposal count for the day, recording 33 more than the reigning premiers.
The Hawks showed a willingness to work, both on the inside and the outside of the contest, clocking 52 more uncontested possessions and just three less clearances than the Tigers.
The effort most certainly could not be questioned.
Where the young Hawthorn side let itself down at times was in its ability to put the finishing touches on said work; the boys didn't quite reap the rewards they deserved.
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Interestingly, both teams' general disposal efficiency rates were almost identical: 77.4 per cent for the Hawks and 77.8 per cent for the Tigers.
The major discrepancy between the two sides came with their ability to generate scores from their forward 50 entries.
The kick inside 50 is often referred to as the 'money kick', and, on Sunday, it didn't quite pay off for the Hawks.
The Tigers hit the scoreboard on 43 per cent of their inside 50s, while the Hawks could only convert on a third of their opportunities.
It was a noticeable area of improvement on the day as the combination of some predictable offensive ball movement from the Hawks coupled with a formidable Tigers defence, meant Alastair Clarkson's side struggled to penetrate the goalface at times.
It's not the worst problem to have and one Hawks fans should be optimistic about improvement - the effort is there, the ball-winning is there, it now becomes a matter of putting the cherry on top.
