Luke Hodge and the Hawks have returned from their Christmas break in ominous condition. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Limited
HAWTHORN'S playing group has avoided the mental lapse that plagued its premiership defence in 2009, returning from the Christmas break in ominous physical condition.
The Herald Sun understands as many as half the club's players either equalled or set new personal best running times in a 2km trial on Saturday morning.
The reigning premier also has few injuries, with only three players on the comeback from knee reconstructions (Alex Woodward, Ryan Schoenmakers and Brendan Whitecross) in any doubt for the NAB Challenge games.
GARLETT LOVING AFL LIFE
Like many rivals the Hawks face a tricky preparation to the season proper, with only one practice match scheduled in the month-long lead-in to Round 1.
It could mean the Hawks play more of their senior players in the NAB games, rather than the usual quota of youngsters, to ensure their best 22 players are prepared for the season opener.
New recruit Ben McEvoy trains with the Hawks. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
Football operations manager Chris Fagan said the club was pleased with the results of Saturday's time trial, helping signal the players' strong desire to back up last year's premiership victory.
"We weren't surprised there was a good result at the weekend because the indications at training last week was that they had come back in good shape," Fagan said.
"The time trail on Saturday morning confirmed that.
"It's only one little step but it's better to be that way than be concerned about players because they have come back in poor condition and you are worried about their attitude.
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"What it is is a really good reflection of the attitude at the moment is right."
Fagan conceded last month the players "probably partied too hard and got a little bit excited" after their last flag in 2008.
But the footy chief said the Hawks trained impressively on their recent two-week camp in South Africa and set high expectations about their conditioning upon their return from the Christmas break.
"If you want to be any good it's got to be the players driving those things, not the coaching group," he said.
Jarryd Roughead hands out advice to some youngsters. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited
The Hawks tackle Brisbane on February 8 and North Melbourne on February 21 as part of the NAB Challenge series.
With only one game against the Dees on March 8 before the season opener against Brisbane on March 22, Fagan said it would be a challenge giving all their players ample match practice
"It's a funny build-up you basically play one game for four weeks before the home and away season begins," he said.
"The decision making around who to play in the NAB (games) and whether you can play a lot of young blokes or not is going to be quite difficult because you need to make sure you have got reasonable game time into your group that you think is going to be play in Round 1.
"All clubs might find themselves in the situation where the VFL practice games are going to be pretty important to get match practice into your blokes."
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