Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says his facet is engaged on defending its leads after paying a heavy worth for going goalless in consecutive remaining quarters.
An impotent St Kilda ahead line allowed the Hawks to flee with a five-point victory regardless of solely managing 0.4 within the remaining time period of their spherical 9 conflict in Launceston.
However leaving the door open for Port Adelaide to grab an equal membership document comeback win after trailing by 41 factors throughout the third time period prompted a wave of criticism at Mitchell and Hawthorn for enjoying too defensively when in charge of the sport.
“We actually checked out it fairly intently. I believe how we deal with these conditions … even the week earlier than (in opposition to St Kilda), we went goalless within the final quarter after having the lead in that recreation as effectively,” Mitchell stated.
“We bought away with that one, and we didn’t on the weekend. We have to proceed to learn to deal with close-game situations … and ensure we’re higher ready for the subsequent time we’re in that place.”
Mitchell hoped first-year small ahead Nick Watson would solely miss Sunday’s Marvel Stadium conflict in opposition to Brisbane with hamstring tightness after the Hawks had been unable to sub him out in opposition to the Energy.
With Changkuoth Jiath already out of the sport when Watson’s subject developed, the No. 5 decide was pushed right into a deeper function however was compelled to run at full pelt after a kick 40m over his head in Hawthorn’s solely real scoring alternative throughout the remaining time period.
“Nick’s had an excellent yr to date, clearly a bit interrupted with the ankle (harm in opposition to Melbourne). We’d already made the sub and his hamstring was getting tighter. We tried to place him deeper, he ended up sprinting extra in that state of affairs,” Mitchell stated.
“Luckily no injury on the scan, however he was overloaded fairly closely and nonetheless hasn’t recovered.
“With a participant of his youth and future that we’re enthusiastic about, not value taking the chance with him this week.”
Mitchell stated he had deliberate to play Jiath for longer in his first recreation again from a collection of soppy tissue accidents, however the attacking halfback had already blown-out his GPS numbers after membership medical employees had put a cap on his operating hundreds.
“Ideally we’d’ve preferred to play him the entire recreation final week, however he couldn’t management his operating,” the coach stated with a smile.
“We would have liked to only hold him protected. The danger of harm with everybody is clearly there, however with him it’s elevated the extra fatigued he will get.
“Luckily, we all know that he’s obtainable this week, and he’ll play once more in an analogous function.”
Mitchell stated he would stick with father-son key ahead Calsher Pricey in opposition to the Lions after a irritating efficiency in opposition to Port Adelaide, however couldn’t assure Ethan Phillips a spot regardless of his assured debut at fullback.
He stated veteran ahead Luke Breust might once more be used because the sub as he labored in direction of full health.
“He’s nonetheless managing his physique – his groins are usually not 100 per cent nonetheless. We all know that he’s an vital participant, actually vital management for us,” Mitchell stated.
“He’s a kind of nice teammates that’s keen to do no matter function helps the staff, and if that’s the sub then he’s greater than keen to do this and have that affect from the bench, which he does a extremely good job of.”
