Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says it isn’t imperative that the club plays finals in 2019, despite still being in the running.
The Hawks secured an upset 24-point win over Geelong yesterday, leaving them just one win out of the top eight.
But whether Hawthorn makes it to September isn’t the be-all and end-all, according to Clarkson.
“This sounds silly in terms of the coach saying this, I don’t see it as being absolutely critical with where we are right now but obviously we’d like to,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“We won 15 out of our 22 last year in the home and away last year.
“The goal was really to give some exposure to some younger players like (Conor) Nash and (Harry) Morrison, these types of guys in the finals last year. It just gives them some exposure.
“We’d like to try and do that again this year.
“We don’t think we’re a side right now that’s ready to challenge but having said that, the game is just so close.”
The Hawks will aim for four straight wins when they take on the Brisbane Lions in Tasmania on Saturday.
Who are you tipping down in Tassie next weekend?
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) July 21, 2019
Listen to Alastair Clarkson’s chat with Garry and Tim in the player below: