Compare the mindset of the young Hawks to that of the team they meet next weekend, the hapless Port Adelaide, who exhibited all the signs of a team that played fearful football against the Cats – scared to make mistakes.
In 2007 and 2008, Hawthorn recovered from a period of tumult and several years of under-performance to stun the competition with a team that had risen unexpectedly ahead of schedule.Then, as now, they had a raft of youngsters who played with precocious flair.So, it was quite reasonable to ask Sam Mitchell, who had been a cornerstone of those insurgent teams – he skippered the 2008 premiership – if he saw parallels between then and now.
“They’re not overawed by anything,” said Gunston in the rooms after the Hawthorn’s youthful spirit and verve overwhelmed the tired Bulldogs.“ just, I don’t know, dance to the beat of their own drum – just roll with the punches and 97,000 doesn’t seem to bother them.” It’s been said of Ron Barassi that he coached to “unlock” players, rather than extract from them. Mitchell seems to be of like mind with the late Ronald Dale, who, despite the fire and brimstone, also was willing to temper his temper – to some extent – for eccentrics such as Brent Crosswell, Sam Kekovich and Peter “Crackers” Keenan.Hawthorn’s exuberance was the story of the elimination final, more so than any particular performance, tactic or incident.
“Sam embraces each individual and you’ve got to teach individuals in their own way, and that’s what he does, and it’s great to see that he’s been able to evolve from a player to a coach, and you get buy-in from the players.”
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