D’Ambrosio eyes NT gear change with Hawks set to fly
Shayne Hope |
Massimo D’Ambrosio has warned high-flying Hawthorn are capable of shifting up several gears as the AFL premiership aspirants eye a huge clash with top-four rivals Gold Coast.
The third-placed Hawks (7-2) have swatted away a trio of bottom-four sides on their current three-match winning streak, extended with a 35-point victory over Melbourne last round.
But far bigger tests lie ahead, starting with the fourth-placed Suns (6-2) at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Thursday night.
D’Ambrosio feels Hawthorn have shown positive signs in recent weeks but are yet to really hit their straps.
“We’re building and we’ve shown the depth of our squad,” the 21-year-old Hawks wingman told AAP.
“Some people have gone out and others have been able to perform and step up in key moments.
“I think we’ll get going and we’ve had three straight wins, so we can’t really complain.
“We’re looking to keep improving every week and hopefully keep winning.”
Among those who have lifted are veteran Jack Gunston and tall target Mabior Chol, with key forwards Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis unavailable so far this season.
Gunston and Chol combined for five crucial final-quarter majors in the runaway win over Melbourne, and sit first and second respectively on the Hawks’ goal-kicking tally.
“It just shows you can’t really contain a great of the game,” D’Ambrosio said of 33-year-old triple-premiership hero Gunston, who started the year out of the team.
“He’s been great for us and to be able to do that in the last quarter and get us going was awesome.
“He’s been such an experienced head around the club, especially for us young boys.
“So to have him around, especially on the field, to guide us has been awesome.”
Hawthorn finished full of running against the Demons, breaking open a tight contest with six goals to one in the final quarter.
That desire to work hard could be an important factor against a similarly hard-running Gold Coast outfit.
“Our work rate to out-number and run in numbers has been our strength and we’re looking to keep improving that and build over the next little bit as well,” D’Ambrosio said.
Hawthorn took an extended squad to Darwin on Monday with a plan to spend extra time preparing for the unusual Top End conditions.
Gold Coast present a significant challenge, having won their last seven games at TIO Stadium over four seasons, including a 67-point thrashing of the Hawks in 2022.
“It’s a five-day break but both teams are in the same boat. We’re looking forward to a great challenge,” D’Ambrosio said.
“They’re an in-form side in the competition and we’ll go up there and really embrace the challenge.
“They play good footy up there so it will be good to go up there and give it a go.
“I’ve been to Darwin, I just haven’t played there. It will be a bit dewy but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey will miss the Gold Coast clash, allowed time off as he and wife Annabelle await the arrival of their first child.
AAP
