Hawthorn are set to unleash their stable of stars for next week’s AFL pre-season cup clash with Melbourne after an undermanned side demolished Greater Western Sydney by 74 points in Launceston.
Hawks big guns Lance Franklin, Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis and Cyril Rioli were all rested for Saturday’s Aurora Stadium match, which Hawthorn won 2.12.18 (108) to 0.4.10 (34).
The Hawks toyed with Kevin Sheedy’s willing but outclassed young brigade early, David Hale booting three goals and Ryan Schoenmakers and Michael Osborne kicking supers.
Coach Alastair Clarkson said the premiership fancy’s big names would be back for the Etihad Stadium clash.
“We won’t rest guys for two weeks in a row if we can help it,” he said.
“All the guys that didn’t play today will come into the side next week.
“It’s not so much about who was missing for us. It was more about getting game-time into the players that did play for us today.”
Teenager Nathan Wilson booted two for the Giants, who were also without a host of their experienced players, including co-captain Luke Power.
The Hawks led by 53 at the long break and 71 at three-quarter time, outmuscling, if not outkicking, the young Giants.
Former rugby league international Israel Folau continued his education with a goal and two strong third-quarter marks inside 50, but he also missed two gettable shots.
His man-handling of Jarrad Boumann early in the match also delighted Giants’ boss Sheedy.
“He got nasty and I thought, ‘Wow, there’s a little bit of upset there, a little bit (of his) thermometer moving up a bit’,” Sheedy said.
“Obviously (it was) a terrific improvement.
“He’s starting to feel ‘I can get this ball’.”
The writing was on the wall for the Giants at halftime after the Hawks produced a commanding second quarter.
GWS had stayed in touch by answering Grant Birchall’s goal early in the second with a second major from 18-year-old Wilson to be just 19 in arrears.
But the Hawks stepped on the gas to drill home four more goals and a super from Osborne to take their big lead to the long break.
GWS could add only three points in the third, when Hawthorn booted another three majors.
Folau’s fourth-quarter effort was answered by goals from Cameron Bruce and Jack Gunston before a late goal from Adam Tomlinson.
Clarkson said the pre-season prize would be a bonus if his side could achieve it, rather than the focus.
“If we can get into some good habits of playing winning footy in the NAB Cup and we continue through, we’re not trying to lose it but nor are we all out to win it either,” he said.