Now, this is going to be a difficult one – The Hawks are coming off a terrible loss to Collingwood. This defeat is their third consecutive loss. The team had a great start to the season currently sitting 7-2 win-loss after 9 rounds and in the top four. In recent outings, they have gone south. The 51-point loss to Collingwood has raised concerns about the club’s future, as it now risks dropping out of the top eight altogether.
In response to such a demoralizing loss, a players’ only meeting was called, spearheaded by the hurt midfielder Will Day. Beyond that, the session was all about addressing the weaknesses of their own team. Even head coach Sam Mitchell surveyed everything and called it “robust.” Mitchell stressed that the team meets like this on a consistent basis. After the recent crash, he didn’t mince words about the need for immediate intervention.
At the heart of the meeting, individual players’ candid words revealed the reasons underlying their lackluster, sub-.500 start to 2019. Perhaps most interestingly, these public servants saw “stat-padding” and a “self-centred approach” as toxic practices. This candid reflection led to a sobering realization among team members that their personal ambitions had sometimes taken precedence over organizational objectives.
“Under what we’re doing that we don’t love, suggestions included: Stat-padding disposals and a self-centred approach or lack of team first focus.” – Mitch Cleary
Beyond just calling out toxic actions, the players listed out what they think is most important for them to focus on. Recommendations ran the gamut from an outward energetic vibe at games to recognizing on-field contributions at all levels – big or small.
“And then what we love that we’re not doing, players said they need to bring more energy and to celebrate everything — including one-percenters like smothers and defensive efforts.” – Mitch Cleary
The two-day meeting came on the heels of a beach retreat over the weekend. Only a chosen few, like Mitchell, ever got to be a part of the magic that lived there. Mitchell remarked on this gathering, stating,
“A few of us went away, it was nothing to do with the weekend. I’ve done it before.”
The coach stressed the need for togetherness in the joint, in particular when times get tough. He highlighted Will Day’s leadership despite his injury status, emphasizing Day’s passion for the team’s success.
“The thing about Will is, he is injured at the moment, he’s got as much passion and as much care for us to have success,” – Sam Mitchell
Even more concerning, the recent losses have revealed some glaring flaws in Hawthorn’s game plan. The team has had its share of brutal losses in tackle counts. In fact, they got smashed 38-82 by Collingwood and 36-59 by the Lions in their last two clashes. This gutting statistic emphasizes the urgency for more intensity and dedication on both the field and race track.
Hawthorn’s seasonal journey hasn’t been easy and they’ve reached the stormy middle stretch of the season. Like us, the players hope that their earnest conversations and reflections will come to serve as a turning point. The pressure is mounting, and the dreams of playoff runs are on the line. As we saw with last year’s squad, the team’s commitment to addressing its shortcomings will be key to deciding the team’s fortunes this season.
