Hawthorn Hawks News

Former Western Bulldogs ruckman Wayde Skipper is in line for elevation after Hawk Simon Taylor was placed on the long-term injury list.

A fractured fibula may see Simon Taylor miss up to four months.

"Simon underwent surgery this morning to have a plate inserted to repair a fractured fibula," Hawthorn's general manager of football operations Mark Evans said said.

"Doctors have advised it will be two months until Simon can resume activity and it will be around four months until he will be available to play again."

Simon Taylor and Brad Sewell were casualties of a 40-point thumping by North Melbourne on Saturday.

Taylor hurt his ankle after falling awkwardly in a collision while Sewell has a suspected collarbone injury and was seen after the game with his right arm in a sling.

Defender Daniel Pratt says former teammate Josh Gibson will not come in for any special attention when the Kangaroos and Hawks meet in a NAB Challenge match.

"People leave footy clubs. People come and go. He's gone. We're not really worried about it anymore," Pratt said.

"Everyone's moved on, he's moved on and we're happy with what we're doing now."

High-profile Hawk recruit Shaun Burgoyne looks set to miss the start of the season after tearing his hamstring at training.

"The original plan was to play Shaun in round four of the pre-season program but now that won't obviously happen," General manager of football operations Mark Evans said in a statement.

"The club does not expect it to be a lengthy delay though. Shaun will now look to the early rounds of the home and away season to run out for the Hawks."

Former AFL ruckman Chris Bryan will arrive in Los Angeles to try out for a punting career in the NFL.

Bryan turned down a potential opportunity to join Hawthorn to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.

"It was pretty tough at the time to say no, but since that day I have been training all the time for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I haven't regretted it one little bit," Bryan said.

"We've got four clubs lined up."

Jarryd Roughead may face his cousin Jordan Roughead in round 2 of the 2010 NAB Cup against the Bulldogs.

"I've never played against him in any sport, so it should be a bit of fun. And good for Dad and uncle as well," Jarryd said.

"He's a Ballarat boy. It's only NAB Cup (round) two, if it happens in Round 3 I might claim a bit of bragging rights."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell says Shaun Burgoyne should be ready for Hawthorn's opening home and away match in 2010.

"Shaun has had a long rehab program after surgery. Our aim is to get him up and going for round one so whether he plays a half or a quarter or a full game or two full games before round one we're not sure," Mitchell said.

"If everything goes to plan he should be out there round one. What sort of role and nick he's in is probably too early to tell and he has to continue to go through his program."

Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson will start his AFL comeback in the 2010 NAB Cup opener against Richmond since being heavily restricted by knee surgeries last year.

Hawk Jordan Lewis says he hasn't sacrificed his strength or toughness despite shedding seven kilograms over summer.

"I've maintained my strength by losing the weight, but I think it's mainly endurance and being able to run out the games would probably be the biggest difference," Lewis said.

"Obviously being a little bit lighter you can perform more consistently on the track. I didn't go out at the start of pre-season to lose this much but it just so happens that I did."

Luckless Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey says he is on a fast track to recovery after a knee reconstruction.

"This time I'll come back quicker," Bailey said.

"It's been a really good recovery. Last time there was a lot of cartilage damage and it was always swollen. This time it's not a problem."

Hawthorn's Lance Franklin remains unsigned for 2011 and could be a potential target for the new Gold Coast team but says he is keen to stay at the Hawks.

"I'm up this year and I'll leave that up to my manager to sort that out," Franklin said.

"But obviously I'm keen to sign with the Hawks. They've been good to me since I've been here and it's a great club. It's more the media that talks it up than the players. I'll just concentrate on football."

Luke Hodge says he has been earmarked for more of a midfield/forward role in 2010 after making a name for himself as a defensive sweeper in Hawthorn's 2009 premiership year.

"Maybe through the midfield and forward. At this stage, I've been training a lot more in the midfield," Hodge said of his likely role.

"I'll probably start that way in the NAB Cup, I would say."

Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis has shed 7kg during this pre-season, leaving at his lightest since he was a teenager.

"I'm weighing in at about 86kg. Last year, I was playing at about 93, so it's a pretty big change," Lewis said.

"I think for a midfielder these days, you've got to be 85 or 86. You need strength, but you also need endurance."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell says no one is expecting Ryan Schoenmakers to immediately fill the hole left by Trent Croad's retirement.

"It's pretty exciting when you've got a guy who's six-foot-four or five who can run like he does and is as strong as he [is]," Mitchell said about Schoenmakers.

"It's just whether or not he can adapt to the speed of our game plan and the way the AFL moves. It was a great experience for him last year but with another pre-season under his belt where he's been injury-free, I think it's a pretty exciting year for guys who are around his age."

Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf has had a setback in his recovery from burns suffered in a New Year's Eve beach accident.

"Part of the graft wasn't healing as well as they would have liked so they decided that it was best to fix it straight away and re-graft that part. The original burn was about the size of the palm of your hand," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

Hawthorn ruckman Brent Renouf has undergone a skin graft after being burned in an accident on a Gold Coast beach.

According to a statement by Hawthorn, Renouf was standing with his back to a beach fire when he was accidentally knocked into it by a group of young men who began wrestling.

Trent Croad announces his retirement after struggling with a foot injury that has troubled him for over a year.

Croad, however, says being part of the 2008 Hawthorn premiership-winning side made it all worthwhile.

"One hundred per cent, definitely - my last moment in football was grand final day, what a wonderful thing," Croad said.

"You can't plan that sort of thing; you can only dream of it. I said to the boys earlier, and Clarko reiterated it, that what broke me on the day will hopefully make me later on in life."

Trent Croad was a notable absentee from Hawhtorn's pre-Christmas training, suggesting the key backman is still some way from getting back to footy.

Hawk Trent Croad's future is in jeapordy after scans reveal that his injured foot has not improved as hoped despite undergoing an operation to fuse several bones.

"It's certainly not positive news, but we expected it was going to be slow healing and the scans would show it is going to be slow healing," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"It was a serious injury from the start. The operation itself is a big thing to go through and there are a lot of things he is going to have to contemplate along the road of his rehabilitation. None of it is going to go quickly for him."

Shaun Burgoyne will wear retired Hawk champion Shane Crawford's No. 9 jumper when he plays for Hawthorn in 2010.

Josh Gibson says he did not actively seek a trade to the Hawks but jumped at the opportunity when approached by Hawthorn.

"I honestly didn't have any intentions of leaving North Melbourne. I was out of contract and wasn't shopping myself around or anything like that," Gibson wrote in an article for AFL.com.au.

"The Hawks approached me at the end of the season with an opportunity and I felt that with what they presented to me, I could really help the club on their journey back to the finals. I thought they were going to help get the best out of me and that is how the decision was made."

Hawthorn has taken former Bulldog Wayde Skipper with its first pick in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft to potentially ruck in place of Max Bailey who is out for most of the season.

"There is no urgency to make a decision like that. There has been no indication given to Wayde about that at the moment. With Max we have got the flexibility to add him to our long term injury list but at this stage we haven't done that," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.

New Bulldog Lukas Markovic hopes a move to defence and an injury-free run will allow him to finally have an impact at AFL level after spending three seasons on Hawthorn's rookie list.

"At the end of the year, I started speaking to the recruiters a little bit here and I just know in this industry, there are no guarantees at all," he said from Whitten Oval on Monday.

"I was certainly still having the mindset I'd be playing VFL next year and if I got picked up, it would be a bonus. As it turned out, it's worked out that way and I'm absolutely rapt."

Rhan Hooper says he wants to leave his frustrations from his time at the Brisbane Lions behind him after being recruited by the Hawks in the 2009 national draft.

"That's all in the past now. I just want to move forward and hopefully get into the finals this year," Hooper said of this time in Brisbane.

"Right up to the end I wasn't quite sure who I was going to go to, but Hawthorn is a strong club and I look forward to playing a couple of senior games this year if I can force my way through."

Former Port Adelaide and Hawthorn premiership player Stuart Dew has joined the Swans as an assistant coach.

"We are extremely pleased to add a person of Stuart's character and extraordinary playing background to our coaching team," coach Paul Roos said.

"Coming from two excellent clubs in Port Adelaide and Hawthorn, and having won premierships with both, he will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that he will be able to pass onto our players."

Former first-round draft pick Mitch Thorp's manager Liam Pickering believes the forward will get a chance at another club after being delisted by the Hawks.

''A 20-year-old key position forward and he didn't go at pick six for no reason ... he's a talented player and he will get an opportunity, I'm convinced of that,'' Pickering said.

New Swan Ben McGlynn says he is looking forward to joining the club's young guns.

"You don't really want to leave the club that gives you a start in the AFL, but opportunity-wise, Sydney offered a great opportunity to play regular senior footy and the security with a three-year deal," he said.

"Having the opportunity to play was the main factor. With [Mark] Seaby and [Shane] Mumford coming on, and 'Joey' [Josh] Kennedy as well coming on board, they'll be good additions to the Sydney Swans."

Hawthorn has delisted Mitch Thorp and rookies Haydn Kiel and Tim Walsh.

"Unfortunately, Mitch has been limited by injury in the first three years and as a consequence, has had little opportunity to play senior footy at Hawthorn," recruiter Chris Pelchen said.

"Mitch requested to be considered for a trade, but unfortunately this was not able to be achieved during trade week."

"After further consultation with Mitch and his management, we felt it was best for Mitch's interests to seek a fresh start at another club."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says there will be no lack of trying to have key defender Trent Croad recover from a broken foot before next season.

"There will be no lack of trying on his behalf or our club's to try and get him right. If we do, we consider it a significant bonus but we've got our fingers crossed he will get through this recovery period reasonably healthy," Clarkson said.

Midfielder Jordan Lewis has spoken of his relief at remaining a Hawk after being linked to trade discussions involving Port Adelaide's Shaun Burgoyne.

"Obviously you're aware, a few mates text you, but I try and go away in trade week because you just never know if your name gets brought up," Lewis said.

"When it first came out, Mark Evans rang me and said there's no truth to it so just don't worry about it. And, fortunately, enough I stayed a Hawk."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says his relationship with Campbell Brown has not soured over rumours he was trade bait.

"He was an unfortunate by-product of the whole kerfuffle around trade week," Clarkson said.

"When a player doesn't want to go and the coaching staff doesn't want him to go then I reckon you are running into disaster if you push players out of your footy club. Browny never wanted to leave and we never wanted him to leave."

Hawthorn defender Trent Croad says he is healthy again and hopes to rebuild his career in 2010.

"I'm pain-free and good to go," Croad said.

"I've just got to make a decision. It was a pretty bad injury so it's just a matter of time."

Hawk midfielder Clinton Young's future is in doubt due to a hip injury.

"It depends on the extent of the damage and the key to it is how much damage there is to the lining of the joint," Dr Peter Brukner said.

"Some are chronic injuries because if the cartilage of the joint is damaged, then you're going to have ongoing problems and we don't have a way of curing that."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Campbell Brown was never offered to Port Adelaide in the trade for Shaun Burgoyne despite claims by the Power to the contrary.

"Sending out players of that quality - it affects the culture of your club too much and we weren't going to do that with five quality players in our footy club, who are just so important to our culture," Clarkson said.

"Campbell Brown is certainly one of those and you saw the reaction of our supporters and everyone involved in the football industry when Campbell was being [talked about] as part of the trade, because Port was really interested in getting him to their club, and fair enough too."

Essendon coach Matthew Knights says the club is extremely happy to secure Mark Williams from Hawthorn.

"We wanted an x-factor forward who could fill a number of roles and Mark Williams is just that player. He kicked three goals in the 2008 grand final and five goals in the preliminary final so he can deliver on the big stage," Knights said.

"He is a great kick at goal and has recovered from the knee injury that hampered him this year. He will be a very exciting addition to our forward line and, importantly, he was very keen to come to Windy Hill."

Hawthorn midfielders Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn have been traded to the Sydney Swans for draft selections 39, 46 and 70.

"While we are disappointed to be losing both Josh and Ben to the Sydney Swans we understand that both players have been presented with opportunities that they see as attractive and wish them well for the future," Hawthorn general manager of player personnel and strategy Chris Pelchen said.

Port Adelaide onballer Shaun Burgoyne will join Hawthorn next season as part of a four-club trade.

The deal will also sees Hawk forward Mark Williams sign a three-year deal with Essendon while Bomber Jay Nash moves to Port Adelaide.

Port Adelaide also receive two first-round draft picks: No.9 (from Hawthorn) and 16 (from Essendon, on-traded by Hawthorn).

Geelong, the fourth club involved in the trade, will swap draft pick 33 in exchange for three additional picks. The Cats took draft selections 40 and 56 from Port Adelaide, and 42 from Essendon.

Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde says Hawthorn hadn't put Campbell Brown on its untouchable list for a Shaun Burgoyne deal and was thus approached by them.

Speculation that Brown had been offered for trade sparked a furore among Hawks supporters leading Hawthorn president to declare on SEN radio that Campbell had not, at any stage, been offered for trade.

"There were a group of players that were untouchable and if you look at Hawthorn's list you can figure out the most obvious ones. Other than that they were prepared to trade anyone off their list," Rohde said.

"We probably had a preference for a couple of players that were on Hawthorn's untouchable list, but it got to the start of this week and they made it pretty clear they weren't willing to trade a couple of players we were chasing. So we turned our attention to Campbell Brown and made contact with him."

Port Adelaide was interested in Campbell Brown as part of a deal for Shaun Burgoyne, but its approach has been denied after a lack of interest by Brown in moving to Alberton.

"Port Adelaide raised their interest in the versatile defender with Brown's management at Elite Sports Properties," a statement by Hawthorn read.

"However, Brown expressed his desire to stay at Hawthorn and he re-affirmed his commitment to the club in talks with club officials today."

Hawthorn's president says reports that the club has offered Campbell Brown as part of a trade deal for Port Adelaide's Shaun Burgoyne are not true.

"The story is wrong, wrong, wrong," Kennett said.

"Young Campbell is going nowhere - his future is with Hawthorn. His name wasn't offered up, so let's just get that absolutely factually clear."

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell won the Peter Crimmins Medal as Hawthorn's best and fairest for season 2009 ahead of runner-up Cyril Rioli.

Hawthorn ruckman Robbie Campbell announces his retirement at the club's best and fairest dinner.

"You're told from the start of your career that footy is a ruthless business, and you are never under any illusion," Campbell said.

"Since 2005 I knew that I have had a degenerative knee condition, and I had thought at that time my career might be cut short, then and there.

"I will be eternally grateful for the faith Clarko and his coaching group showed in me - to allow me to continue playing footy - and ultimately play in a premiership team."

Adelaide's Brett Burton has won the 2009 Hungry Jack's Mark of the Year while Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli has won the AFL Stores Goal of the Year.

"Without a doubt, it's the best mark I've ever taken. It's certainly the biggest mark I've ever taken. When I was up there, I thought, 'whoa!' It did feel good," Burton said of his mark.

"I would also like to thank my teammate Chance Bateman for giving me the handball to have the opportunity to kick the goal," Rioli said of his goal.

Hawthorn defender Trent Croad is on the verge of signing a new one-year deal and is looking forward to playing again next year in 2010 after missing out on the entire 2009 season with a serious foot injury.

"Everything's good and underway there, so over the next few weeks everything will be sorted," he said.

"The surgery was good and everything is coming together nicely," Croad said.

AFL superstar Lance Franklin is reported to have been involved in an apparent brawl at a Perth nightspot.

"I was on the way to the toilet when an altercation broke out and I copped one in the face," Franklin said in a statement.

"I'm fine, no real injury, it's just a bit disappointing to have that happen when you're out just trying to enjoy some time off with family and friends."

Jinxed Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey has vowed to return from a third devastating knee reconstruction and play on next season.

"He is amazing to go through everything that he has been through and still have such a great attitude," Bailey's manager Shane Casley said.

"Mentally, he is in surprisingly good shape, he is really upbeat and really determined to play again.

"The good thing is, having done it all twice before, he knows exactly what he is facing and what he has to do to get back."

Hawthorn vice-captain Luke Hodge has signed a three-year extension to his contract with the Hawks.

"It's good to be committed to the club for the next three years, it's an exciting time and I wouldn't miss it for anything," he said.

Hawthorn forward Tim Boyle has announced his retirement from AFL football.

"Tim can be satisfied he has given his all during his time at Hawthorn and has maintained a positive outlook," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"It's been tough for him to get out there and be a regular contributor to the team; however when he was fit, particularly in season 2007, he showed he was a very important member of our side.

"He has prepared himself well for life after footy and we wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his life."

A security guard assigned to the boundary line reveals what Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said to Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd after the Hawks' loss to Essendon.

Clarkson is heard to have said, "You had better f**king retire you f**king weak c***."

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has been given a suspended $5000 fine by the AFL after verbally abusing Matthew Lloyd following Hawthorn's loss to Essendon.

"The AFL is concerned about the potential for such situations to escalate on the ground and also the need for AFL coaches to set a positive example for coaches at all levels," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

Clarkson said he was sorry for his actions.

"I apologise for my actions after Saturday's match and any embarrassment caused to the AFL," Clarkson said.

"I believe senior coaches should model appropriate behaviour and I fully intend to set a positive example for coaches and others involved across all levels of football."

Hawks ruckman Brent Renouf has apologised after avoiding conviction for a booze-fuelled vandalism spree last year.

"I apologised on the night and I apologise here again today. I hope to move on with my life," Renouf said outside court.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd is not a sniper following an outburst by Hawk Campbell Brown after a spiteful match between Essendon and Hawthorn.

"No I don't, I think Matthew Lloyd's one of the great players we've had to have played our game, one of the greatest full-forwards who have ever played the game," Demetriou said.

"I think Matthew Lloyd has been a wonderful player, a wonderful servant to the game, one of the greatest full-forwards that we've ever seen.

"I think he regrets what happened and you could even tell by his post match interview - I don't think he thought that was a good thing to see at all.".

Essendon champion James Hird says that Bombers captain Matthew Lloyd should play again in 2010.

"Matthew Lloyd should play on at Essendon next year and the Bombers should be doing everything they can to convince him to do so," Hird wrote in his column for the Herald Sun.

"Those that say his best football is past him are right, but those that say he should retire are way off the mark."

Hird also defends Lloyd against accusations of being a sniper made by Hawk Campbell Brown.

"Every game I played in, except the past couple of years, our goal was to physically intimidate the Hawks, but on the other hand Essendon has every right to complain about the way Hawthorn has beaten up the Bombers in the past three years," Hird wrote.

"Calling people snipers and protesting through the media is off the mark and if Campbell Brown had an issue he should have dealt with it in the remaining 50 minutes of the game or the next time the two clubs played."

Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd is offered a four week suspension for his hit on Hawthorn's Brad Sewell.

Bombers Samuel Lonergan and Paddy Ryder have also been offered one-week each for striking after a melee ensued in the match following Lloyd's bump.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson describes himself as a 'passionate peanut' after abusing Bomber players, Jobe Watson in particular, following Hawthorn's loss to Essendon which resulted in injuries to Brad Sewell and Max Bailey.

"That's just the passion of the game. I've come out onto the ground ... I think he was shaping up to come and shake my hand but with the blood boiling it was the last thing I wanted to do," he said.

"If I was going to be accommodative of any Essendon player it would have been Jobe but I didn't even want to speak to him, so it wasn't the way we wanted to finish our season, that's for sure."

Essendon's Andrew Welsh returns fire at Campbell Brown after the Hawk labeled Bomber captain Matthew Lloyd as being a "sniper" following his collision with Brad Sewell that left Sewell with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket.

"Hawthorn is a strong, aggressive side, they're no angels. So you've got to be careful that your own back yard is clean before you come out and question other people's attack on the ball," Welsh said.

Luck continues to desert Hawhtorn's Max Bailey who will have to undergo a full reconstruction on his left knee after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Essendon.

Essendon defends Matthew Lloyd after their captain is accused by Hawthorn's Campbell Brown as being a "sniper" following Lloyd's head-high bump on Hawk Brad Sewell.

"We are very disappointed in the comments from the Hawthorn camp," Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton said.

"One, we are not happy with the attack on the character and integrity of our captain, two the veiled threats made again Matthew, three the comments that are prejudicial to a potential tribunal hearing this week and four, the appalling set of double standards on display by Campbell Brown.

"Matthew Lloyd has had such a long and wonderful career and a strong reputation as a ball player."

Hawthorn enforcer Campbell Brown calls Essendon skipper Matthew Lloyd "one of the biggest snipers in the game" says that Lloyd's "his time is coming".

Brown's comments come in the wake of a head-high hit by Lloyd on Brad Sewell that left the Hawk with severe facial injuries.

'We're not going to forget in a hurry what Matty Lloyd did, and we hope he plays on next year ... he's done that a fair few times to us,'' Brown said.

''I think he is one of the biggest snipers in the game, and his time is coming.''

Suspended Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin syas the bump is dead and says that players need to adjust to the new rules of the game.

"If you're going to do a bump or just protect yourself and if it touches their head at all, you're going to be looking at weeks," he said on Triple M.

"I reckon you're going to have to try to tackle...if you've got time to react, put a tackle on. That's the smartest thing to do because I reckon the bump's gone out of the game now. It's a shame I think."

Lance Franklin's season is appears to be over after the AFL Appeals Board last night rejected his appeal over a rough conduct charge.

Former AFL players Doug Hawkins and Tony Shaw slam Lance Franklin's two-match ban for head-high contact with Ben Cousins.

"They've got to get it right because as a kid growing up that's what footy was about. People say, 'Oh, Buddy didn't tackle', well guess what? You don't have to tackle, you used to be able to bump," Hawkins said.

"Two weeks for that is just ludicrous. I'm disillusioned by the whole situation and I think the sooner the AFL work it out the better. "

Former Collingwood captain Tony Shaw concurred with Hawkins' assessment.

"It is so embarrassing at the moment. I'm all for protecting heads and spinal injuries and all that sort of thing, but you do have contact on the field and I've been involved in bumping bigger blokes where you will hit your head on their body and it's stiff cheddar," Shaw said.

Lance Franklin expresses his disappointment at being rubbed out for two matches by the tribunal after making high contact with Richmond's Ben Cousins.

The Hawks are considering taking Lance Franklin's two-match suspension to the AFL Appeals Board.

"Obviously I'm devastated. I'd love to be out there with the boys this weekend and the weekend after," he said.

The AFL tribunal found Hawthorn's Lance Franklin guilty of engaging in rough conduct against Ben Cousins on Tuesday night which means the star forward will not be available for an elimination final even if the Hawks beat Essendon this week.

"It didn't go our way so that's a very disappointing result for us," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"I find it a little distressing that in summing up we can regard someone's conduct as reasonable, but they can still miss two matches.

"It's very disappointing and we'll be following that up with Adrian tomorrow."

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans says the club wil take Lance Franklin's sanction to the tribunal on Tuesday night to contest a two-match suspension for his hit on Ben Cousins.

"I can't really comment on the case before we get there other than to say we've looked at it quite a bit and we don't believe that any player should be suspended for this," Evans told SEN radio.

"I think the best case here is to keep it nice and simple and to allow the tribunal members - who have all played football - to make their assessment from that."

Despite undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery just two weeks ago, Jarryd Roughead remains an outside chance to return to the Hawks lineup should his side qualify for the finals.

''Depending on how we went there would be some chance in the upcoming weeks,'' Hawthorn football operations manager Mark Evans said.

"We'll see how he progresses if we're still alive ... it depends how we go and how he goes.''

Lance Franklin can accept a one-match suspension for rough conduct due to a head-high bump on Richmond's Ben Cousins during the Hawks' win over Richmond.

Accepting the ban will mean that Franklin misses out on a match against the Bombers that could give the Hawks 8th spot on the ladder and a chance to play in an elimination final.

Max Bailey completed his tortuous journey back from successive knee reconstructions on Saturday night with a 23-hit-out performance.

"Thursday when I was told I was very excited, but I seemed to stay pretty calm. I think I was more nervous for my first game back in the VFL. It went pretty quick in the end, but it was just good to win," Bailey said.

"It was bit of a blur really. The first 10 minutes I was on I blew up pretty quickly, but I was pretty happy. I've got a few things to work on, but that's always the case."

Richmond is optimistic Brownlow medallist Ben Cousins will recover from the concussion he sustained after a clash with Hawk Lance Franklin in time to travel to Perth next week to face his former side West Coast.

"He looked a bit groggy still after the game, but he sat through the meeting and seemed to be engaging reasonably well. I haven't had a full debrief on him yet," caretaker coach Jade Rawlings said.

"It was a pretty big hit and he looked like he was pretty keen to stay on, but with the way he walked, he was heading in a totally different direction to where the interchange bench was, which suggested he was in a bad way."

Hawthorn forward Michael Osborne's fortunes have mirrored those of his side over the past couple of years as he talks about the frustration on an inconsistent 2009 season for both him and his side.

"I had a few injuries over the past couple of years and to get a full pre-season under my belt and to get out there and really push myself was good. I had a good year and getting fifth in the best and fairest showed that," he said.

"I lost a bit of fitness over the year and tried to work on getting that back up. After another full pre-season I was confident but having a few hiccups with injuries hampered me early on and I struggled to get going there for a while.".

Hawthorn's Luke Hodge is on the verge of agreeing to the terms of a new contract on the eve of his 150th game to be played against Richmond.

"My manager's over in Perth at the moment. They've been talking regularly and it should be done soon," Hodge said.

"It's life membership with the club which is always good. Our focus is pretty much to beat Richmond this weekend and see how we go," he said of his 150th game.

Collingwood assistant coach Brad Scott praises Alan Didak for keeping his cool despite constant niggling from Tiger Jake King.

King's attempts to unsettle Didak followed Hawk Ben McGlynn's efforts a few weeks ago when McGlynn was able to get under the forward's skin in Collingwoods loss to Hawthorn.

"Everyone highlighted the fact that McGlynn got under his skin against Hawthorn, and we knew Richmond would try and do the same to him again today," Scott said after the match.

"He responded brilliantly. We were rapt with his efforts both offensively and defensively, and to hold his nerve under pressure.

"Today he was completely in control of every situation. Players tried to get under his skin, it didn't affect him, and the game was played on his terms and our terms."

Trent Croad expresses to Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson his optimism in returning from a career-threatening injury.

"It's always pleasing to get that type of optimistic view from a guy who has become a pretty important player to our structure," Clarkson said.

"Given the seriousness of the injury and the size of the man and the fact it is a foot injury, there are no guarantees but he's very optimistic and so is the surgeon that he'll return to play AFL footy and we can only hope that'll be the case next year."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says assistant coach Damien Hardwick is ready to become a head coach with vacancies available at either North Melbourne or Richmond.

"We've supported him all along. He's been in our system for five years and our view is that he's ready to coach senior football. It will be up to Richmond and the Kangaroos to determine whether that's the case as well," Clarkson said.

Key Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee after suffering a lateral meniscus tear in Hawthorn's loss against St Kilda and will miss the rest of the season.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says the recruiting of Stuart Dew was worthwhile, despite the brevity of his stay at the club.

"I can remember catching up with him a couple of years ago and trying to orchestrate this whole involvement he would have with our footy club and he had a passion to get back to playing AFL footy again," Clarkson said.

"We're indebted to him in a sense. He brought so much leadership both on the field and off the field for our group last year and played a pivotal role for us to be able to secure that flag."

Saint James Gwilt is free to play against Essendon this week after accepting a reprimand for making forceful contact with Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis on Saturday.

Stuart Dew announces his second retirement from football and will hang up the boots at the end of the 2009 season.

"I went into the mid-season break not happy with my contribution in the first half of the year and decided that if I couldn't contribute in the second half of the year then that would be it," said Dew.

"I got injured before the next game so I never really had a chance. I think I'm at the state and the club is at the stage you can't carry someone that's not able to withstand the rigours of the game."

Trent Croad's future remains undertain due to a persistent and career-threatening foot injury.

"Obviously it takes a little bit of time to process that from both his point of view and from a medical point of view, what sort of surgery can be done and what it's going to do for his footy," Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell said.

"No decision has been made, but there's a lot of information that's been collated now and both he and the club are going to work out what the best thing to do is now."

Hawthorn assistant coach Damien Hardwick is a leading candidate for both the Richmond and North Melbourne coaching positions.

St Kilda full-back Zac Dawson is expected to return from suspension to face his old side in Hawthorn.

"I'm tipping he would want to play against the Hawks," Saints coach Ross Lyon said.

"He'll give us some inside knowledge, no doubt. He has been a great acquisition to our club."

Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi is awaiting scans expected to confirm forehead fracture after a nasty head clash with Hawthorn's Jordan Lewis.

Hawk Chance Bateman says Lance Franklin is not worried about the treatment he receives from umpires despite Hawk coach Alastair Clarkson voicing his disapproval at the way the star forward had been treated.

"Lance isn't one to worry about the umpires," Bateman said.

"It all evens out, you'll get some good decisions and get some bad ones, that's footy."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson plans to speak to the umpires department about treatment handed out to Lance Franklin.

"We weren't too pleased with the way that he was monstered today," Clarkson said.

"We need to work through that with the umpiring department to try and rationalise why Buddy has to earn his free kicks in such a tough manner."

Jarryd Roughead may have had a lower profile than his forward line mate, Lance Franklin, but he has beaten him to the 100-game milestone.

"I suppose playing with him every week is the best job in the world. I've got the best seat in the house to watch a bloke like him," Roughead said of Franklin.

"It's not just him though, I've been lucky to come in with all the young boys we have. I'm probably best mates with Jordy Lewis and Buddy. It's good to get out there each week and play with your mates."

Hawthorn defender will miss the rest of season after having surgery on his right knee.

"He's been a really durable player for us the previous three or four seasons and this season, for whatever reason, it's just blown up for him," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"Hopefully by having this surgery, he'll be able to have a full pre-season and get himself right for 2010."

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams is expected to sign his contract in the next few days and stay at his beloved club.

"In between trying to negotiate contracts, what we are doing is focusing on the footy," Williams said.

"The club have got a lot of things on, I've obviously got the footy on, so next week (I'm looking to finalise the contract)."

The AFL tribunal has cleared Jordan Lewis of striking Michael Firrito.

Despite Lewis admitting he had delivered a punch to the stomach of North Melbourne midfielder Michael Firrito, the Hawks successfully argued the force of the strike was "not more than negligible".

"I'm very happy," Lewis said after the hearing. "Obviously no excuses for what I did ... the force wasn't too hard and I'm very lucky to get off."

Hawthorn faces the prospect of losing one of its in-form midfielders for Saturday night's crucial clash against Collingwood.

Hawthorn will decide this morning whether to challenge Lewis's penalty for striking North Melbourne's Michael Firrito in the third quarter in Launceston on Sunday.

Hawthorn has re-signed young guns Xavier Ellis and Cyril Rioli. Rioli has committed to the Hawks for a further three seasons while Ellis has signed on for another two years.

"Rioli is an exciting player to watch and his work ethic is outstanding. His tackling has become a real feature of his game and he has continued his impressive form in his second season," Hawthorn general manager of football operations Mark Evans said.

"Xavier has shown great application and versatility in his football this season playing defensive, through the midfield and forward at times."

Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah can excite the crowd in a similar way to Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, according to Demon veteran Cameron Bruce.

"Every time he goes near the ball they get excited, I liken it to the way the crowd are with 'Buddy' and every time he went near the ball. It's something you don't experience too often," Bruce said.

"I was doing cartwheels in the backline, watching him go up for those marks."

Four goals in the last quarter from Lance Franklin kept Hawthorn's premiership defence alive with a come-from-behind win against North Melbourne yesterday. But a report of the full-forward for kneeing earlier in the match could have as big a say in how long that Hawk dream of back-to-back flags remains a possibility.

Hawthorn's Cyril Rioli returns to the side to take on the Kangaroos after recovering from a hamstring tear.

Hawthorn's last-ditch bid to revive its season has been given a big boost, with Cyril Rioli set to take on North Melbourne.

Rioli has missed a month after tearing his hamstring against Sydney in Round 11, but trained well yesterday and is almost certain to play.

"He has trained really well today. He has to get through our final training session, but we expect him to play," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

Hawks skipper Sam Mitchell says 'the little things' are to blame for Hawthorn's recent form slump and flailing premiership defence.

"I'd love to be able to say it's this one thing; it's just injury, or just game plan, or just rules. It's not any one thing - its a few little things that all add up," Mitchell said.

"You've got to be right on your game to be competitive in this competition.

"You add up one per cent here or one per cent there and it ends up you're a fair bit off."

One irate fan made sure Sam Mitchell understood his dismay at Hawthorn's goalless first half at Etihad Stadium last Saturday night against the Bulldogs.

"I had a cup of beer tipped on me at half-time," Mitchell said.

"It's pretty disappointing when that sort of thing happens, but people love going to the footy and that's their release.

"They go to work all day, every day and they want to front up on a Saturday night or Saturday afternoon and watch their team play and they're passionate about it. We love that about our fans and I can understand what they go through."

Hawthorn's Campbell Brown says his team needs to rediscover its toughness or face missing out on the finals altogether with the Hawks' season on the edge after a loss to the Eagles at Subiaco.

"I think we've just got to go back to some of our trademarks that we had last year," Brown said.

"Our hardness at the footy has got to be non-negotiable, and then we've got to execute our game plan better.

"We probably rule out top four now and we just concentrate on making the top eight (but) we're not going to look any further ahead than the Doggies."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson admits it would be "foolish" to rush Trent Croad back into the senior side without a stint in the VFL.

"Our senior side certainly needs his presence down there but it would be foolish perhaps to put him there straight away," Clarkson said.

"But we'll just have to wait and see what players are available for us at the time he's available to play."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Trent Croad's return may be as little as two weeks away.

"It could be two weeks, it could be six weeks - that will be determined by how well he pulls up from his training sessions in the next couple of weeks," Clarkson said.

"But I've got no idea - it's been nearly 12 months since he's played.

"He'll step up his training, he has done over the last two weeks - he's done about four or five skills sessions now with the players, and he'll step it up again next week.

Hawthorn forward Mark Williams says his teammates need to care for each other more in their run to the finals after a slow start to the season in 2009.

"In the first 12 games we've played it has been like a rollercoaster if someone is not chasing in the forward line or bringing the ball to the ground," he said.

"It puts our defence under a lot of pressure and hopefully we can address that.

"With 10 games to go hopefully we can get on a winning streak. We're only one game away from third and fourth position. They are still up for grabs."

Hawthorn premiership defender Rick Ladson's frustrating wait for his 100th AFL game is nearly over.

A knee injury has marooned the rebounding backman on 99 games since last year's Grand Final triumph, but he has finally been able to step up and sustain his workload during the past month.

Ladson and fellow knee victim Stephen Gilham, who has managed only one game this season, joined the Hawks' solid two-hour workout at Waverley Park yesterday.

Hawthorn assistant Damien Hardwick would be a strong contender for future senior coaching jobs, says Alastair Clarkson.

"Damien is one of a number of guys who have been assistant coaches for a fair period of time who would relish the opportunity to coach at senior level," Clarkson said.

"I'm certain there are a number of guys throughout the industry who could do a very, very good job if they were given the role."

Hawthorn still unwilling to predict whether defender Trent Croad will return this season with just 10 rounds remaining.

"We would expect him to play at this stage, but we still need to be mindful of the fact that he's got to get through another couple of weeks of skills training before we can make that prediction," Football manager Mark Evans said.

"He's back in skills training, which is fantastic. He's completed three pretty good weeks of training now.

"He still has to tick some boxes in terms of the intensity to play and prepare himself for the physical side of contact football but that should take place sometime in the next three to four weeks."

Super Hawk Buddy Franklin took advantage of the mid-season break to have a big night out at the soccer on Wednesday.

Franklin spent barely 10 minutes in his reserved MCG seat watching the Socceroos do battle with Japan, preferring to avail himself of Football Federation Australia's lavish hospitality.

He arrived with a mate about 7pm for the Ryder Room function for the FFA's sponsors and their guests.

Hawthorn remains confident that Trent Croad will play a part in its flag defence, with the injured defender resuming low-level training this week.

"Croady has worked hard to overcome his foot injury and this is another big step in his long rehab," Hawks assistant coach John Barker said.

"We are hopeful he will play a role in the second half of the year at some stage. "

Hawthorn premiership midfielder Jordan Lewis has revealed how close he came to missing last year's Grand Final due to a mystery illness.

"It was definitely a worry," he said.

"I just thought it was a common cold. Then I wasn't sure if it was just the nerves of being in a Grand Final.

"It wasn't just that I might miss the game, because I was determined to play, it was that I might not go into the game in the best possible shape.

"In hindsight, I was definitely lucky to play."

Lance Franklin's starring role against Sydney was good but he's about to get better, says the coach.

"We're really pleased with his attack on the ball and creating contests for us and that was probably an area of his game that had been a little bit down in previous weeks and he addressed that last week and that's when he plays his best footy. We're hopeful he'll be like that again this week," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Simon Taylor says he will not curb his aggressive style of play to ensure he doesn't make any more trips to the tribunal.

"I don't really go out there and think of the tribunal at all. I've got to go out there and play an aggressive, physical game. That second one got thrown out because there wasn't much in it. It was something a little bit silly I did in that first game," he said.

After a slow start to 2009, Lance Franklin believes he is back to his best again after taking six contested marks and kicking three goals against the Swans.

"Craig (Bolton) is probably one of the better defenders in the comp, but I came out of the game feeling pretty confident," Franklin said.

"My hands were probably the best they have been all year. I left the game pretty confident and looking forward to this week against Brisbane."

Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell plays down the incident with Swans power forward Barry Hall which turned Sunday's game for the premiers after Hall gave away three 50-metre penalties.

"It certainly did us no harm. It was a massive play for us to potentially go from a scoring opportunity they had to kick a goal ourselves," Sewell said.

"We had momentum throughout most of the game and they got back on top early in the last quarter. We were slow-building and it certainly didn't hurt our chances but I'm not sure it was the turning point."

Cyril Rioli is the latest victim of Hawthorn's injury curse, with a hamstring strain certain to sideline him for at least three weeks.

Cyril Rioli faces a month on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring against Sydney Swans.

"I dare say he will certainly miss next week's game and how much longer he misses will be determined by the severity of the injury," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"But it didn't look good in terms of being able to come back from the ground. He'll certainly miss a couple I reckon."

Cyril Rioli says he has no plans to leave Hawthorn when his contract runs out.

"Getting extra money doesn't really matter that much to me. I'm pretty happy here and I wouldn't go anywhere," he said.

"The way the club is going now, I'm pretty much settled here now.

"I'm here to stay and I don't want to be going anywhere. With the new contract, I'm just going to let it come. I'm not too fussed about that. I'm just happy to be playing footy."

Brian Lake, Daniel Kerr and Mitch Robinson will contest charges at the tribunal tonight.

The Dogs have accepted a ban for key forward Scott Welsh but decided to get backman Brian Lake available for Friday night's game against Richmond.

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell has virtually a one-game penalty hanging over him again despite being allowed to escape with a reprimand from a striking charge.

Chance Bateman says Lance Franklin is feeling pressure to recapture last year's stunning form.

"If you compare it to last year, I think you're going to be disappointed most years," Bateman said.

"Last year was an outstanding year for him and I don't think there's been many full-forwards in the game who've been able to repeat that sort of effort.

"He definitely puts pressure on himself, he knows that he's important to us and he likes to take that challenge on himself, so he does get a bit disappointed in himself sometimes but that's part of being the player he is."

Luke Hodge may be rested until after the mid-season break to guarantee Hawthorn's key backman is primed for the team's finals push.

"He could play this week if we really needed him to go and it was finals. But we want to get him totally right for the second half of the season which is pretty important for us to build as many wins as we can," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says star Luke Hodge may miss another three games due to an adductor strain.

Hawthorn, already facing salary cap squeeze, is confronting another difficult question - what to pay Cyril Rioli who has become one of the most talented youngsters in the competition.

Debutant Beau Muston says his club's belief became a self-fulfilling prophecy after three knee reconstructions.

"When I did it last time in the NAB Cup against Adelaide I didn't know what to do. I was still contracted and while I was still contracted I was always going to do my best to get back," Muston said.

"The club showed faith in me and it's all worth it today."

Prized Hawthorn draft pick Mitch Thorp has suffered another savage injury blow.

The Hawks last night confirmed Thorp would take at least three months to recover from a broken sesamoid bone in his left foot.

Thorp had surgery on Friday to remove a bone fragment and have a pin inserted.

Adelaide defender Nathan Bock is set to resume from a hamstring injury as the Crows prepare to tackle Hawthorn and Lance Franklin.

"'Bocky' trained over the weekend and is looking like being available. That will be a bonus for us in defence against a couple of key forwards for Hawthorn," teammate Ben Rutten said.

"If we get 'Bocky' back, obviously, he'll play a fairly big role in defence. He has played well on Franklin in the past, so it will be good to have him available for that contest."

While Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says he was rapt with the contribution of first-gamer Beau Muston on Sunday against the Demons, insiders at the club were not surprised the once injury-plagued youngster performed so well in his first foray into AFL football.

"We obviously rate him very, very highly at our footy club," Clarkson said of Muston after the win.

"He had to work really hard to get his opportunity to play at the highest level, and hopefully it's just blue sky from this point on for him.

"He's a great character around our footy club, and these setbacks that he's had along the journey have made him really strong mentally, so hopefully that will mean that going forward he becomes a pretty damaging player for us."

Hawthorn's Beau Muston will finally play his first AFL game on Sunday after three knee reconstructions.

"You can only probably endure, at 21 or 22 years of age, a certain amount of mishap before you consider just tossing it all in. But such is the character of the lad he has persevered and is very diligent with his rehab," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

Hawthorn has named midfielder Chance Bateman as its captain for Sunday's twilight game against Melbourne, as part of the AFL’s Indigenous Round celebrations.

Hawthorn is brightened by the news that previously injury-stricken Beau Muston set to play his first game after recovering from three knee-reconstructions.

Luke Hodge may be out until after the mid-season break while he battles an adductor injury.

"He's carried an adductor injury for the best part of the last month, but he's such a competitive bull and he wanted to do the right thing by the team because we had so many other defenders out," Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"He tried to get through and two or three games he managed it really well, but last week from early on it was evident that he had lost that turn of speed that he needs to be at his best in the game.

"He's better off having a spell for a little, then we'll get him back and hopefully he'll have a really good second half of the year."

Hawthorn is unsure when key defender Stephen Gilham will resume full training, let alone play again.

"With the injury he has, he progresses very well to a level where he can get back into training," Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said.

"But he hasn't been able to get to that final level of intensity that he needs to go and play.

"We were hoping he was going to play, maybe in the VFL this week or next, but he becomes a week-to-week proposition because we're still unsure when he'll get to that level of intensity."

Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall says injuries to key backmen have hurt the Hawks this year.

"Five of our defenders from the premiership team haven't played for the last couple of weeks. It is hard. You want some stability in your back six," Birchall said.

"We haven't really had that this year. In saying that, it gives some guys good opportunities. Tom Murphy has stepped up this week. Brendan Whitecross and Beau Dowler are starting to play regular footy across the backline and are getting some exposure. From that point of view it is a positive."

Sam Mitchell has described the club's Premiership defence so far as diabolical after the Hawks started the season with just 3 wins in the first 7 rounds.

"We've had a diabolical start to the season, you would say," Mitchell said.

"We have lost some games we thought we should have won and we have not played anywhere near our best.

"Even with some of the wins we have had, we have probably been lucky.

"We have hopefully got our best footy ahead of us and we've got some looking to do inside ourselves."

Hawthorn's injury crisis has plummeted to new lows, with Luke Hodge set to miss two games with an adductor strain.

"Hodgy has been playing sore and we've probably got to make a decision over the course of the next week of whether we keep him going or give him a rest for two or three weeks to get it right," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"He has an adductor strain. He's tried for the best part of a month to carry this injury and he's just been below his best."

Premiership backmen Grant Birchall, Stephen Gilham and Xavier Ellis are a chance to play for Hawthorn against Essendon.

"We are slowly getting some guys back," Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said.

"We just need to make a decision post-training today whether we bring them back through Box Hill or whether we play them in the seniors straight up."

Hawthorn has dismissed suggestions its powerhouse forward Lance Franklin is carrying extra weight which has decreased his output in 2009 compared to 2008.

"As he's got match-fit, his workrate is matching that of 2008," Hawthorn head of fitness and conditioning Andrew Russell said.

"As he's regained his match condition over the past few weeks, he's now matching his GPS workrate of 2008.

"But weight-wise, he might be slightly heavier than last year, but it isn't affecting his performance. He's a young man just filling out as his training-age is increasing."

Hawthorn's Simon Taylor successfully challenges his two-match suspension at the AFL Tribunal and is cleared of rough conduct against Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin.

Simon Taylor will contest his rough conduct charge, risking an extra week's ban at the tribunal.

Just when Hawthorn thought their run of injuries had settled, young key forward Tim Boyle faces a season-ending knee reconstruction.

Boyle ruptured his right anterior cruciate ligament on Sunday while playing in the VFL with Box Hill.

John Anthony and Simon Taylor face time on the sidelines for on-field indisgretions.

Anthony was offered a week for headbutting Kangaroo Scott Thompson in the groin while Taylor has been handed a two-match ban for rough conduct against Carlton's Setanta O'hAilpin.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says fans should not expect too much from Michael Osborne in his return match after missing four weeks with a hamstring injury.

"Michael's missed every game since round one. It'll take him a little way to become fully match conditioned," Clarkson said.

"I wouldn't expect he'd be best on ground on the weekend, but as long as he makes a contribution to the side, that's all we're after."

A defiant Jeff Kennett has fired a parting shot in a war of words with the AFL, opting to pay a $5000 fine rather than be lectured at umpire school.

Jeff Kennett has not decided whether he will attend umpiring school, as ordered by the AFL.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has published a letter to an AFL official defending his criticism of umpires.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has been asked to attend an educational camp with the AFL umpiring department or pay a fine.

Garry Moss has won the round five AFL Rising Star nomination after notching 24 possessions, 9 marks and 4 goals against the Eagles at Aurora Stadium.

Hawthorn has become the first Victorian club to pass the 50,000 member mark.

West coast defender Eric Mackenzie is ready to face the challenge of playing on Lance Franklin according to coach John Worsfold.

Hawthorn's Brad Sewell says the entire team must take responsibility for the Hawks' defensive woes.

"That's the midfielders' fault, that's the forwards' fault, we certainly can't lump that area of the game in the defenders' lap and say that's their issue, it's across the board," Sewell said.

"It's midfielders not getting back enough, for not filling the holes, for not picking up our men and the forwards are guilty of that again."

Hawthorn midfielder Brad Sewell says despite the poor start to the season the Hawks can fight back.

"We're only one game off fifth. It's still early in the year and an even competition. Sides are settling themselves to a certain extent," Sewell said.

Travis Tuck and Stephen Gilham are likely to be back as Hawthorn try to regroup against West Coast in Launceston on Saturday.

Brent Guerra has a suspected hamstring injury from the match against Port Adelaide.

Alastair Clarkson says the six-day break counted against injured defender Stephen Gilham ahead of Saturday's match.

Hawthorn captain Sam Mitchell is still coming to terms with the death of former Hawk Rob Dickson.

"It's such a tough situation. Part of you is really feeling for his family and everyone involved and missing him yourself," Mitchell said.

"I went home and kissed my fiance on the head and told her I loved her. You hold on a bit tighter to your loved ones. It was a pretty tough situation we went through but I think the boys handled it pretty well."

Hawthorn has suffered another injury setback, even as it starts to regain key premiership players.

Defender Stephen Gilham returned for last Sunday's win over North Melbourne, but he is out again with a swollen knee.

It is the same knee that was injured previously, delaying his start to the season.

Star Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall joins casualties from Sunday's win over North after scans reveal damage to his thumb that will keep him out of action for a month.

A fractured thumb will sideline Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall for at least three rounds.

Scans have cleared Hawthorn's Xavier Ellis of serious damage to his foot from the incident that forced the midfielder out of yesterday's match against North Melbourne, but the onballer is still unlikely to be available for Saturday's game against Port Adelaide.

Hawk goalkicker Jarryd Roughead didn't mind his stint in the ruck against North Melbourne, but says his shins took a pounding.

The absence of Hawthorn's primary ruckmen due to injury left Hawk big man Brent Renouf to ruck virtually unaided all afternoon against the Kangaroos, until Roughead stepped up in the second half.

"I don't mind it. It's a little bit different and I might have to go out and buy a shin-guard but I don't think I will because I don't pull my socks up, so not to worry," Roughead said.

"It's a bit different. It makes it good when the circle is only small because I get a couple of steps and run and jump, so it's not too bad."

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has backed young Brent Renouf to respond to the challenge of taking on North Melbourne's bevy of big men at Etihad Stadium.

Hawthorn has no option but to throw ruckman Brent Renouf to the wolves in today's clash with North Melbourne due to injuries.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has exposed his notorious temper to one of the most senior men in the AFL in an outburst that has embarrassed the AFL Coaches' Association and prompted a series of apologies from his fellow coaches.

The premiership coach turned on Andrew Demetriou's No. 2, Gillon McLachlan, at last month's coaches talks and unleashed a four-letter verbal tirade over the AFL's new broadcast media rules.

With injuries to their key ruckmen, Hawk forward Jarryd Roughead may be forced to serve as Hawthorn's backup ruckman.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans says Stephen Gillam will return to face the Roos this weekend.

Hawthorn's defence is under siege with Trent Croad having ankle surgery.

Croad's season was already hampered by surgery to the left foot he injured in last year's Grand Final.

Undermanned and winless after Saturday night's 38-point loss to Sydney at ANZ Stadium, the Hawks will be without Croad until at least the second half of the season.

Croad, who had bone spurs removed from his left ankle late last week, must be in doubt for most of the season.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson believes the introduction of new clubs on the Gold Coast and in western Sydney will make it difficult to retain players.

The probable return of Robert Campbell is set to spare Hawthorn from being dangerously exposed in the ruck by Sydney on Saturday.

Lance Franklin vows to stay at Hawthorn for his whole career - potentially costing himself millions of dollars in wages at rival clubs.

Geelong champion Gary Ablett is the confirmed No. 1 target of the Gold Coast team.

Football director Graeme Downie made the bold claim after the club was awarded the 17th AFL licence yesterday, which came as a complete surprise to some media.

Ablett, Lance Franklin and Nick Riewoldt, who come out of contract at the end of 2010, are firmly in the Gold Coast's sights.

Under the AFL's list building concessions, the club can sign one uncontracted player from each of the 16 clubs.

Adam Goodes and Lance Franklin fight over who will be the bigger drawcard at ANZ Stadium this weekend when the Swans take on the Hawks.

Franklin, last year's Coleman Medallist, said he hoped to remain with the Hawks for the rest of his career and took some early pride in being a one-club man.

"We know we've got a great group of boys who won a premiership last year and we want to keep having success," he said.

"That's going to keep the core group together and the leaders. We want to stick together and hopefully win some more premierships."

Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor can accept a two match ban for kneeing Geelong's Joel Selwood.

Hawk Simon Taylor is the only player facing suspension out of Friday night's fiery Cats-Hawks clash after the match tribunal reviewed Round 1.

Hawthorn's unswerving physical approach is already thinning its ranks this season, with ruckman Simon Taylor to miss at least the next two matches.

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos says Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead will be remembered as two of the all-time great forwards.

"Roughead and Franklin are still young, but I'd suggest at the end of their careers, you're going to be looking back on two pretty good forwards," Roos said.

"Dunstall and Brereton [and] Longmire and Carey were a good combination but I think Roughead and Franklin are going to stack up favourably once their careers are finished."

The report of Luke Hodge and injury to Michael Osborne meant Alastair Clarkson refused to take solace from the Hawks' close loss to Geelong.

A fiery Grand Final replay victory to Geelong over Hawthorn is set to play out further next week with several incidents to be investigated.

Hawthorn star Shane Crawford has lifted the lid on the Hawks' defensive zone, just two days before the club's clash against Geelong.

The premiership star revealed every Hawthorn player had an exact location they were ordered to cover as soon as the ball entered the Hawks' forward-50.

And rather than guard a player as opposition defences kick out - or rebound from defence - the zone was always the absolute priority.

Hawthorn has voiced strong concerns about the interpretation of the new rushed behind rule.

Beaten Grand Final coach Mark Thompson has scoffed at claims the Cats were mentally weaker than the Hawks as suggested by Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.

Jeff Kennett has lobbed a grenade at Geelong on the eve of Round 1, accusing the Cats of not having the "mental drive" of the Hawks.

As the defensive general, Luke Hodge will be in charge of a vastly different Hawthorn backline for Friday night's Grand Final rematch against Geelong at the MCG.

Sam Mitchell not only expects another showdown in Friday night's rematch with his Grand Final shadow, Cameron Ling, he wants to play on him.

Essendon veteran Matthew Lloyd hopes to emulate the feats of evergreen Shane Crawford, who retired after winning the premiership with Hawthorn last year.

AFL captains have shunned Hawthorn's Lance Franklin as their predicted Coleman medallist, and prefer Carlton over the Tigers as the season's bolter.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson told his underdog team to "kill the shark" in a chilling pre-match Grand Final speech.