April Fool’s Day is a distant, mildly-unpleasant AFL memory for Hawthorn.
The Hawks are now in round-seven heaven after overcoming the AFL’s start from hell.
Saturday night’s 37-point win over reigning premiers Sydney in the grand final rematch left the Hawks ideally placed with a 6-1 record.
The only hiccup has been the narrow season-opening loss to their arch rivals Geelong on April 1.
Former club president Jeff Kennett did himself no favours after that match by saying coach Alastair Clarkson should go at the end of the season.
Kennett soon apologised and the Hawks have subsequently proved he should have kept his counsel.
When the fixture came out late last year, Hawks chief executive Stuart Fox famously christened the first seven rounds the start from hell because they were drawn to play the other 2012 finalists.
“Full credit to our players – we had a really tough summer preparing, knowing full well we couldn’t ease our way into the season at all,” Clarkson said after Saturday night’s win.
Clarkson noted that this time last year, Hawthorn had a 4-3 record and were yet to build momentum.
“What’s pleasing is it’s helped launch our season,” he said of the last seven weeks.
It will also be a major surprise if they do not improve to 9-1, given their next three opponents are GWS, Gold Coast and Melbourne.
Another obvious change from last year is that captain Luke Hodge is fully fit.
He was best afield against Sydney, racking up 32 possessions and kicking a goal.
Hodge had a delayed start to the pre-season after recovering from knee surgery, but he has not missed a beat since.
“We know the quality of the player when he’s fit and firing and he’s playing some good footy,” Clarkson said.
“Nothing really surprises me about Hodgey – as long as he has a fit body, then he’s going to make solid contributions.
“What’s been pleasing is he’s been able to do that across (the) forward line, midfield and back for us.
“That flexibility is really important.”
Tall forward Jarryd Roughead also gave the Hawks another dimension by occasionally going into the centre bounces – but not as a ruckman.
Apart from starring with four goals, he used his big frame effectively at stoppages to help clear the ball.
“He’s a hard matchup in the midfield because he’s so good around the ground,” Sydney co-captain Jarrad McVeigh told Channel Seven’s Game Day.
“Obviously he’s going to out-mark anyone in the midfield, a big body.
“Then he slides forward (against) those midfielders and kicks four goals.
“He was, in the end, the difference.”