Hawthorn’s forward set up will look slightly different in 2020.
The Hawks recruited Jonathon Patton from GWS in the trade period to cover for the loss of the retired Jarryd Roughead and are expected to give plenty of opportunities to youngster Mitchell Lewis and the promising Tim O’Brien.
While it may appear on paper that it could be a stretch to play three talls together in the modern game, small forward Luke Breust says Hawthorn’s recent successful history proves it can be done.
“I think we are still working through that to try and find the best look we are going to get in our forward line,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“We had Roughead, (Lance) Franklin and (David) Hale who used to play as three talls with one of those guys rotating in the ruck. We’ve done it in the past.
“As long as myself, (Paul) Puopolo, (Oliver) Hanrahan, (Darren) Minchington, these sort of guys can put forward pressure on as well. Tim O’Brien moves well on the ground, so does Mitchell Lewis and Jonny Patton.”
The Hawks trialed the trio in last week’s opening Marsh Series match against St Kilda and despite the defeat, it worked at times with debutant Patton finishing with three goals and Lewis two while Breust himself kicked three and O’Brien one.
“I think it can certainly work. You throw (Jack) Gunston back in the mix as well. It’s just going to take some time,” he added.
“We are still building that connection, especially with guys like Jonny, who we haven’t played too much footy with. Just getting to know how he leads and what he does in the forward line is a challenge in itself.
“We’ll keep working at that on the track and leave it to the coaches in terms of selections.
“I was more than happy that three big guys can create a contest. It makes it pretty easy for us as smalls to know where to run.”
Breust will be in action for the All-Stars in Friday night’s State of Origin Bushfire Relief match and admits he is keen to get one up on Hawks teammate James Sicily who will be running around in Victoria’s defence.
“It’s going to be very interesting actually,” Breust added.
“I sent a message to Horse (All-Stars coach John Longmire) the other night saying I’d be happy if I just get a couple of minutes on Sicily at some stage during the game.
“Hopefully I can kick a goal on him so I’ve got something over him for the rest of the year.
“You know what he’s like, he just loves to go and mark the footy.
“If a couple of our bigger guys can get it to ground for me, then I might be able to snag one.”
Listen to Breust's chat on SEN Breakfast below: