Where will Hawthorn finish in 2012?

[McRooster]

More than most sides this team relies on their best 22 being available, injuries really are the thorn in their side.
After opposition teams have worked out the rolling zone and countered that by implementing their own - they now need to change again but I'm not so sure Clarkson is a chameleon?
Confidence in their spine is crucial, Clarkson needs to be a very careful chiropractor and not break the back of this side in the pre-season.
Do they have the stars to play again in September?....just

[EAGLE4LIFE]

between 5 and 8  (top 4)

[Hellopplz]

Guess What I chose? .

Think I've mentioned How I felt about the Hawks a while back .

[DazBurg]

i think they will make the eight again next year

lol that's it HP dead last

[EAGLE4LIFE]

Spoon i wish i hate hawthorn all hawthorn fans i know are AS*HOLES

[McRooster]

5th to 8th with their talent and a sprinkling of luck 

Stay premium

[benjy251090]

5th or 6th i think, may push 4th if they have a better start to the season 

[hawk_88]

Where to start with Hawthorn... Beat Collingwood, Dogs, would have beaten the Saints if not for a interchange infringement and would have beaten the Cats (twice) if the game finished a minute earlier.  However lost to West Coast, Essendon, Port and almost lost to Richmond.

Their best is as good as anyone's, their worst is horrible and far too frequent.

The potential depth that had Hawks fans salivating 2 years ago has disappointed and been traded cheaply (Kennedy and McGlynn). Thorpe, Dowler, Muston, Morton and Tuck to name a few who have, on the whole, disappointed.

Will look to trade and recruit midfield speed and a key defender. Despite the horrendous run of luck in the ruck at the start of the year, this isn't a major deficiency for the Hawks, with Renouf, Bailey, Skipper, Taylor, Lowden and Grimely (in order) and Robert Campbell could potentially rejoin that list.

There a few players that could radically change the Hawks side:

Hooper: in his few appearances he clearly had little fitness, but has shown amazing bursts of form where he will break a game open on his own back. If he can build up and retain his fitness over the pre-season, he will add that same explosive speed, X factor forward pressure that Cyril has over the past few years, freeing Cyril up to add his speed to the midfield full time.

Schoenmakers: after a fantastic first season there were high expectations, however his form wasn't as consistent as it was in the latter half of 2009 and was very suspect with the ball in hand, both with skills and decision making. Shown some form at Box Hill, but with a good pre-season he could add 4-5kg and potentially be the key defender the Hawks need.

Bailey: every Hawk fan hopes this bloke's run of bad luck is over. 4 knee recos probably suggests his knees are too weak for the impact of AFL footy, especially for a ruckman. However, if his knees hold together over the pre-season, expect him to start round 1. He is the second tallest listed AFL player (obviously Sandilands is the first) but is surprisingly athletic and has good hand/foot skills.

These 3 players fire and the coaches further develop the new game plan (along with implement an actual forward structure - Johnny Barker is a legend but can't coach a forward line to save himself) the Hawks should easily find themselves in the top 4. However given their consistency over the past few years, who knows...

[DazBurg]

wow hawk88 nice blog.......

[benjy251090]

good insight, especially with bailey, unfortunately may not fit him in my team as i will have smith from GC and will want the cheapest FWD/RUC as my 4th ruck

[ossie85]

Starting to lose patience with the Hawks!

And yes, you did defeat Collingwood! Though it was a dead rubber

[Fletch74]

Top 4 IMO, they're a good side. Had a few injuries to begin with this year. A good preseason will see them start the year off better.

With Mitchell, Buddy, Sewell, and Rioli (the difference) all fit and firing, they will very exciting to watch.

[hawk_88]

Top 4 IMO, they're a good side. Had a few injuries to begin with this year. A good preseason will see them start the year off better.

With Mitchell, Buddy, Sewell, and Rioli (the difference) all fit and firing, they will very exciting to watch.

and HODGE!

[Fletch74]

Top 4 IMO, they're a good side. Had a few injuries to begin with this year. A good preseason will see them start the year off better.

With Mitchell, Buddy, Sewell, and Rioli (the difference) all fit and firing, they will very exciting to watch.

and HODGE!

Oops, for some reason I forgot about him

[Hawka]

We will easily push for top4 will write a longer reply and y wen im not half asleep