How Hawthorn has become a 'genuine contender'

With the Hawks humming along through the middle part of the season, Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley have explained how the side has become a serious challenger for this year's premiership.

Hawthorn has continued to build their credentials as a premiership threat, having won their four match from their last five games against a struggling GWS on Friday by 14 points at the MCG.

The Hawks' dominance was particularly noticeable in the midfield despite having fewer possessions than their opponents, as the Giants struggled to win the ball at hit-outs.

That win sees the Hawks shortened the gap to the 2nd place Swans to six points.

And with eight rounds left to play, the former Port Adelaide coach believes they pose a serious threat, having dispelled some of the doubts surrounding the side.

“Remember, at the start of the year, we were questioning the Hawthorn midfield. Was it going to be good enough?” Hinkley told SEN’s Crunch Time.

“I looked at the ladder, and I see them six points away from 2nd now, and I think, ‘That's a bit scary for the competition’.”

That view was shared by Simpson, noting their ability to win matches with multiple methods.

“They were +24 (in) clearances, they kicked 10 goals, five (behinds) to one goal, four (behinds) from the clearance situation,” he said.

“I feel like the way it works (in a season) is at the start of the year, everyone talks about ball movement and how quick it is, and scoring's up, and the back half transition and the forward metres gain handball, and the teams at the top of the ladder normally have success at that.

“Then we hit this part of the year, and it gets back to clearance, contest, field position, a little bit boring, but it's the stuff that I think the coaches normally fall back on.

“To be, +24 (in) clearances, they went to work Hawthorn with their bye.

“They went to work on their centre ball-ups, and once again they kicked three goals three (behinds) from the middle.

“+6 (in) centre ball up clearances, it's going through the roof that stat. They've had 30 forward-half turnovers.

“So, Hawthorn started this…not (a) rebuild (as such), but when Mitch (Sam Mitchell) got there, it was a back half transition side. It was a switch-the-ball, run-and-gun, exciting football.

“Now they're just tipping over to that team that can do everything, which I think is really handy when you get to these weeks.”

“It makes you the genuine contender, doesn't it?” Hinkley concluded.

The Hawks will look to continue their winning ways into Round 17 when they host Melbourne in the Apple Isle at UTAS Stadium.

That begins this Saturday with the match beginning from 1:15pm AEST.