King wowed by Hawthorn’s stoppage work… but is it their only serious asset?

David King is loving what Hawthorn’s doing at stoppages.

After starting the season 1-6, the Hawks have won seven of their last eight games and King believes most of that is built on the back of their midfield efforts.

In Sunday’s 94-33 win over West Coast, the Hawks dominated the Eagles in clearance winning the stat 38-21 and that has been a common theme in previous wins.

While the Hawks sit outside the eight by just two points, King still thinks there’s plenty of growth in the side given that clearance and stoppage is their only real asset compared to other finals contenders.

As they’ve found so much success on the back of their clearance and stoppage game, he still feels there are some levels to go to for this side if they can figure out other aspects of their style.

“Really, their only asset on the competition (is stoppages),” King said on SEN Whateley.

“I’m not being disrespectful, it is to just say that when the game stops, they’re at their absolute best. So, there’s a lot of growth is what I’m getting at.

“I still think there’s a lot of growth in this group and in the coaching of Sam Mitchell that we’re not seeing yet.

“If he (Mitchell) is to be a genius, we’re still not seeing that genius with all the guys of their game.

“So, there’s significant growth, the list will get better as we go over the next couple of years, they’re in for every free agent that’s available and they’ll probably land one because they play an attractive brand of footy.

“Down back they look more rigid with Josh Weddle playing the role that he’s playing, so all parts look pretty solid.

“But in terms of what’s bringing this fortune at the moment is just their clearance game.”

WHAT IS THE CEILING FOR THIS EVER-IMPROVING HAWTHORN SIDE?

While he’s been wowed by their clearance work, it’s also the reason why he’s not a believer that the Hawks can truly contend in 2024 as he feels they don’t have enough methods in their arsenal to beat the very best teams.

Even though he’s not a believer in 2024, he suggests that could change in 2025 if they continue adding strings to their bow.

“I’m not a believer and people take offense to that sort of stuff,” King said.

“But I just think as good as it is and as basic as it is against the very best – and they’ve played some pretty good footy against the best.

“But the ‘win contest, lock it in your forward half’ is terrific for your defensive profile because it means you’re saving your defensive and they (the opposition) have to go the full length of the ground more often than not to score against you.

“But the really good teams can do that and that’s what we’re talking about when we’re talking about with, ‘Can this exact model right now win a Prelim?’

“I don’t think so. But, I’m not saying it can’t get there next year.”

The Hawks will hope to win their eighth game from nine attempts when they face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.