Young gun thriving as Hawks fly on and off the field
Anna Harrington |
High-flying Hawthorn are having fun on the field, a destination club off it and daring to dream of a run to the AFL premiership.
And with at least one big-name recruit seemingly on the way, things could get even better.
But first, third-placed Hawthorn want to add to their three-game winning streak, then surpass last year’s preliminary final appearance.
“We’ve taken a lot of learnings out of last year,” midfielder/forward Connor Macdonald told AAP.
“I think we’re starting to peak at the right time.
“We’re getting wins throughout the year, we were in a bit of a form slump, and then now I feel like we’re really starting to play our brand of football.”
The Hawks are set to prise free agent Ben King out of Gold Coast and are expected to pursue Essendon star Zach Merrett again.
“The club’s in a really good spot and I feel like we’re a really attractive club in a way,” Macdonald said.
“When I first got to the club, we were down the bottom of the ladder, so it’s been nice to be in the bottom and then get to the top.
“It’s been really cool to see the change of the club, and now we want as many good players in the club to make our team really great.”
Macdonald is adamant Hawthorn can balance all their quality talls – Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Mabior Chol and Calsher Dear – if King joins.
“I’m just looking forward to hopefully him coming, and then we can use his talents,” he said.
Hawthorn already have a wealth of attacking riches headlined by Nick Watson.
“We were actually walking out into the start of the fourth quarter, and all our smalls and talls were just laughing at each other like ‘how good’s this?'” said Macdonald, speaking after Hawthorn’s heavy win over Essendon.
“Like it’s pretty special to play with these guys and just have fun.
“Me, Wizard (Watson), Dylan Moore, (Jack)Ginnivan get up around the ball and get forward as well. So we try to be those link players.”
Developed as a creative half-forward, Macdonald has spent more time in midfield and enjoyed a career-best campaign, averaging 22 disposals and seven score involvements.
“I love it. When I first got drafted, I was an inside mid. That’s all I knew,” the 23-year-old said.
“Then the last four years, I had to really learn to play half forward, and I’m still playing there, obviously. But it’s nice to get a bit more opportunity around the ball as well.
“I’m having my career-best year so far, and it’s been nice to get up the ground and get my hands on the football and I feel like I’m becoming a lot more damaging as a player.”
Macdonald will be determined to keep the foot on the accelerator against North Melbourne in Launceston on Saturday.
“They’ve been in some pretty good form this year too, and they’ve stacked on some wins, and we don’t take any game lightly,” Macdonald said.
AAP