HAWTHORN – CLARKSON OUT AND MITCHELL IN
2021 FINISHED 14th 7 WINS 13 LOSSES 2 DRAWS
The Hawks will undoubtedly be one of the stories of 2022 and a fascinating position in the AFL Betting market. We feature Hawthorn in our season preview. The most dominant side arguably in the modern era has undergone extensive change in a very brave bold move by the club.
Sam Mitchell was appointed coach with Clarkson in an “overseeing” role which he very quickly put an end to as he saw that untenable. A Hawthorn side with no Clarkson or Burgoyne is certainly a foreign beast.
With finishes on 9th 15th and 14th in the last few years perhaps the time was right for a change at the top. But Mitchell has the job ahead if its rebuild time at Hawthorn and he must be given the next few years top get the list the way he wants. At this stage the Hawks age profile is far too much out of balance. They have the old and the new with not enough in between so it could spell a rocky road ahead for the team from Glenferrie.
Chairman Kennett – asset or liability
The other issue at Hawthorn is there appears to be some strong off field instability with Jeff Kennett not fulfilling his full term but at the same time not saying when he would step down. A couple of possible candidates are looming with Kennett saying he will make his call by June 30 its got messiness written all over it.
There is no doubt Hawks supporters will give Sam Mitchell some latitude. He is a premiership captain and 4 time premiership star so he has earnt his leeway. But he will need to show the faithful that there is some direction and a plan. It’s a big step for Mitchell as he did coach Box Hill last year in its own right. But this is a whole different ball game however he has been surrounded by some real experience (Robert Harvey and Adrian Hickmott in particular). But there is no doubt Mitchell will be on a sharp learning curve.
With the “rebuild” given the stamp of approval by the board this will be a year of discovery and latitude for Mitchell as he begins to implement his vision. We feel there is more pain in store this year for the Hawks before an uptick next season.
2022 PREDICTION 17th 6 WINS
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