David King attended the Hawthorn’s pre-season training last week and made a few observations.
From the youth in the squad following a busy trade period to the strength of their backline, here’s how King saw it on SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“It smacks you between the eyes just how young that group is. I don’t know if I’ve seen a group that young for some time,” he said.
“There’s going to be some pressure on some senior core players to play good consistent footy and drive the standards of this football club.
“I think they’re handing the keys of that midfield to James Worpel and Jai Newcombe. Newcombe has just taken Leigh Matthews’ number three and looks ready to roll.
“There’s going to be a lot of change at Hawthorn. There’s no doubt about that, but when you put their team down on paper their back six looks really strong.
“I think James Sicily will be made captain. I think he’ll be a wonderful captain.
“I was taken by Changkuoth Jiath, we already rave about how he plays, but he’s filled out a bit more, he’s an organiser behind the ball and he looks ready for a big year.
“It’s exciting. If you’re a Hawthorn fan, they’re going to expose a lot of young talent in prime roles.
“They had a pretty full team at training, I think Josh Ward was the only one off the track yesterday. They’re healthy enough.
“Lloyd Meek was out there. He looks like he’s just going to play the number one ruck role.
“I think it’s going to come down to what they’re going to get from guys like Chad Wingard, Luke Breust is still there, they’ve got enough senior players around the edges, but gee they’re a young, young squad.”