I know there are a few South Aussie Hawks on here, here are some notes on the AGM we had last night with guest speaker Tim Clarke. He was fantastic. A bit long so I apologise for that.
Last night, I had the chance to listen to Tim Clarke speak about the changes at Hawthorn. He was blunt, to the point and didnt hold back in describing the disappointments of last year. I will summarise as best as I can remember.
-Said that alot of players were happy just to remain mediocre
-Said the team were a rabble and the culture of the club has thoroughly disintegrated since the early 90s
-Shane Crawford had looked disenchanted for the last two or three seasons now. Up until then, he had always had a spark in his eyes and a spring in his step. He lost the enthusiasm, but didnt stop training hard. This preseason, his enthusiasm, spirit and general 'happiness' at being a Hawk has thoroughly returned and he is looking fantastic and eager to start.
-Jon Hay was flying early on at the preseaon. Is training at 70% at the moment and wont play on the 19th against the Saints. He has had a few niggles, but every precaution is being taken.
-Roughead, Franklin and Lewis probably wont play in the first Wizard Cup match unless they have a big game on the 11th.
-Said it really hurt him to see the anger, sadness and disappointment in the eyes of the supporters as the players walked off the ground.
-When Josh Thurgood was mentioned, Clarkey's eyes immediately lit up. He said Josh is going to be a massive player for the Hawks, but just needs to bulk up.
-In regards to skills, he said that the main priority was to get the game plan working properly. He said it was very frustrating to see the ball being stuffed around in the backline like it was. But the confidence had simply disappeared.
-When Clarke mentioned the influence Alastair Clarkson has had from day one, it is obvious that Schwab let the players get away with too much. Even Clarke was surprised at how straight down the line Clarkson was. The players are a lot happier, a lot more determined and are taking a hell of a lot more pride in who they are and the Club they are representing. From Clarke's facial expressions and the pride in his voice, I dont think this is a load of words to be thrown to the supporters. He didnt patronise us at all with cliches. It is for real this time.
-Players are now turning up 45 minutes early to training, as they are afraid of coping the wrath of their teammates for the early morning sessions
-John Barker and Nick Holland are a lot stronger, but still not training at 100%.
-Simon Beaumont is absolutely flying - the look on Clarkey's face said it all. He may be used in forward and midfield positions.
-Sam Mitchell may get a run in the backline
-Mark Williams is being trained for midfield duties as well
-When asked about final 8 expectations for 2005, Clarke said that it most likely wont happen. There are still a lot of pieces to pick up and rebuild, but the team simply want to base 2005 on gaining lost respect. Clarke said that teams are going to have to work bloody hard to beat Hawthorn, and perhaps the talent of the other sides will be the only difference. He said Hawthorn want to become a team to be feared because of the toughness of the matches the opposition face each week.
-Richard Vandenberg was a very popular choice for captain. He may not be the best player, but his attitude, courage and hard-edged approach is how Hawthorn is going to play footy from now on.
-Kokoda was a massive team bonding exercise. He didnt say that lightly. A lot of blokes were hurting, and their teammates were very quick to step up and take their pack loads and help each other through the rigorous terrain.
-I wandered up to have a bit for a chat to him when everyone else had buggered off. I began to cop a bit of flack from my fellow Hawks SA members for being a Nick Ries fan (much to my embarassment - I will never forgive you Rob) Clarkely just smiled at me and said he had shaved his head (must be a growing trend amongst our boys this year).
Tim Clarke is a very passionate young man and loves Hawthorn. He came across as hurting a hell of a lot from the rabble the team became in 2004. I can see why he is in the leadership group. To all those who doubted why? well dont doubt anymore. Our club culture is going to be rebuilt on the passion, dedication and love blokes like Tim Clarke has for the Hawthorn Footy Club. We can all look forward to watching a completely different side - attitude wise and more competitive performanances.
Anyone who dares to slag and badmouth Tim Clarke deserves a fair kick up the arse. Because until you hear him speak, see the passion for the club in his eyes, see the enthusiasm in his body and the way he he genuinely hurts for the pathetic season we had, we have no bloody clue what any of our players are like and the fact that some of them dont deserve the ******** they cop from ignorant idiots.
Last night, I had the chance to listen to Tim Clarke speak about the changes at Hawthorn. He was blunt, to the point and didnt hold back in describing the disappointments of last year. I will summarise as best as I can remember.
-Said that alot of players were happy just to remain mediocre
-Said the team were a rabble and the culture of the club has thoroughly disintegrated since the early 90s
-Shane Crawford had looked disenchanted for the last two or three seasons now. Up until then, he had always had a spark in his eyes and a spring in his step. He lost the enthusiasm, but didnt stop training hard. This preseason, his enthusiasm, spirit and general 'happiness' at being a Hawk has thoroughly returned and he is looking fantastic and eager to start.
-Jon Hay was flying early on at the preseaon. Is training at 70% at the moment and wont play on the 19th against the Saints. He has had a few niggles, but every precaution is being taken.
-Roughead, Franklin and Lewis probably wont play in the first Wizard Cup match unless they have a big game on the 11th.
-Said it really hurt him to see the anger, sadness and disappointment in the eyes of the supporters as the players walked off the ground.
-When Josh Thurgood was mentioned, Clarkey's eyes immediately lit up. He said Josh is going to be a massive player for the Hawks, but just needs to bulk up.
-In regards to skills, he said that the main priority was to get the game plan working properly. He said it was very frustrating to see the ball being stuffed around in the backline like it was. But the confidence had simply disappeared.
-When Clarke mentioned the influence Alastair Clarkson has had from day one, it is obvious that Schwab let the players get away with too much. Even Clarke was surprised at how straight down the line Clarkson was. The players are a lot happier, a lot more determined and are taking a hell of a lot more pride in who they are and the Club they are representing. From Clarke's facial expressions and the pride in his voice, I dont think this is a load of words to be thrown to the supporters. He didnt patronise us at all with cliches. It is for real this time.
-Players are now turning up 45 minutes early to training, as they are afraid of coping the wrath of their teammates for the early morning sessions
-John Barker and Nick Holland are a lot stronger, but still not training at 100%.
-Simon Beaumont is absolutely flying - the look on Clarkey's face said it all. He may be used in forward and midfield positions.
-Sam Mitchell may get a run in the backline
-Mark Williams is being trained for midfield duties as well
-When asked about final 8 expectations for 2005, Clarke said that it most likely wont happen. There are still a lot of pieces to pick up and rebuild, but the team simply want to base 2005 on gaining lost respect. Clarke said that teams are going to have to work bloody hard to beat Hawthorn, and perhaps the talent of the other sides will be the only difference. He said Hawthorn want to become a team to be feared because of the toughness of the matches the opposition face each week.
-Richard Vandenberg was a very popular choice for captain. He may not be the best player, but his attitude, courage and hard-edged approach is how Hawthorn is going to play footy from now on.
-Kokoda was a massive team bonding exercise. He didnt say that lightly. A lot of blokes were hurting, and their teammates were very quick to step up and take their pack loads and help each other through the rigorous terrain.
-I wandered up to have a bit for a chat to him when everyone else had buggered off. I began to cop a bit of flack from my fellow Hawks SA members for being a Nick Ries fan (much to my embarassment - I will never forgive you Rob) Clarkely just smiled at me and said he had shaved his head (must be a growing trend amongst our boys this year).
Tim Clarke is a very passionate young man and loves Hawthorn. He came across as hurting a hell of a lot from the rabble the team became in 2004. I can see why he is in the leadership group. To all those who doubted why? well dont doubt anymore. Our club culture is going to be rebuilt on the passion, dedication and love blokes like Tim Clarke has for the Hawthorn Footy Club. We can all look forward to watching a completely different side - attitude wise and more competitive performanances.
Anyone who dares to slag and badmouth Tim Clarke deserves a fair kick up the arse. Because until you hear him speak, see the passion for the club in his eyes, see the enthusiasm in his body and the way he he genuinely hurts for the pathetic season we had, we have no bloody clue what any of our players are like and the fact that some of them dont deserve the ******** they cop from ignorant idiots.
