“Painful, very very painful”

The 2024 season is inching closer and closer, and here at Hawks Insiders we’re ramping things up. Subscribe to Hawks Insiders for exclusive content, analysis, interviews and podcasts. He’s had a pretty positive pre-season so far, but Angry Brad Klibansky has come off the long run, joining Darren Levin to dissect a pretty worrying final pre-season hitout against the Dogs. Playing at Hawthorn’s home away from home — UTAS in Launceston — the Bulldogs thumped the Hawks by 57 points: 17.17 (119) to 9.8 (62). Yes, it’s just a pre-season game, but there were some nervy signs with round one against the Bombers just two weeks away. The midfield was comprehensively smashed (the Dogs were +9 for centre clearances), while a makeshift backline featuring new recruit Ethan Phillips — who impressed on debut — struggled against a stacked Bulldogs forward line. Hawthorn’s forward line is still a work in progress, but there were glimpses of what’s to come from Nick Watson (six score involvements) and Jack Ginnivan (two goals). The pair’s bromance is well-established and they combined for an electric second quarter goal. In other positives, Cam Mackenzie (19 disposals and one goal) and Henry Hustwaite (17 disposals) look set for a round one start, while Jai Newcombe (37 disposals) and Connor Macdonald (19 disposals, two goals) oozed class and poise on a tough afternoon. Of course it’s just pre-season, but Mitch and his team will surely have concerns leading into round one. Follow Hawks Insiders on Twitter and Facebook This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hawksinsiders.substack.com/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices