Daisy Pearce believes Hawthorn, at their best, can challenge league pace setters Richmond, if the Hawks midfield performs at an optimal level.
“I think they (Hawthorn) do (have the best game to challenge the Tigers), they could beat them,” Pearce told SEN Breakfast.
“Certainly the way they move the ball, efficiency by foot, that kind of takes the ball out of the contested style of game that Richmond thrives in.
“I think their challenge will be winning it back off Richmond enough to get that game going.
“They smashed Geelong in clearances against a very deep midfield, so with (James) Worpel coming in and playing good footy, (Tom) Mitchell, his consistency, (Jaeger) O'Meara has had a very good season as well, although it has gone under the shadow of Tom Mitchell.
“I think they’re starting to build enough depth in there.
“They would have to have a very good day around the contest to get that side of their game going.”
Listen to Daisy Pearce’s chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast in the player below