Tom Barrass is arguably Hawthorn's most valuable player nowadays; not their best or most influential in wins, but when he's not there it is plainly obvious how much the team needs him. His early hamstring injury in the away loss to Fremantle was followed by two more losses in the next four, then two wins on the trot on his return. As with the arrival of Brian Lake to herald the Hawks' threepeat, Barrass has brought an essential calmness to their back six, delivering the fist of justice to high floaters inside 50 instead of giving up cheap marks to oppo goalscorers.
