“I couldn’t care less if they win a game”: Premiership legend stresses rebuilding phase for young Hawks

Hawthorn finds themselves with the worst start to the season across the league, joining North Melbourne as the only teams yet to secure a win in the first five games.

The Hawks are one of the youngest sides in the competition and their inexperience has been accentuated through injuries to many of their more experienced players, with the fourth longest injury list in the league at the moment.

Following their 16th-placed finish in 2023, many expected the Hawks to climb up the ladder in 2024 through the continual development of their youth-driven list.

Despite the fact they have not started well, Hawthorn premiership legend Shane Crawford remains adamant that such challenges are par for the course for a rebuilding club.

“This time last year everyone said the Hawks are tanking,” Crawford told SEN Breakfast.

“Then they got their season going and started playing a better style of footy.

“Going into this season, I couldn’t care less if they win a game.

“Of course, you want them to win because it’s good for everyone to win, but it’s a real developing year.”

One of the key characteristics that the young core has struggled with is how they start games, as the Hawks are yet to win an opening quarter to start the season.

Sam Mitchell’s men are themselves on the wrong side of a first-quarter aggregate score of 24.13.(157) to 5.14.(44) across the initial five matches, as this is a key factor that they must address to get their season back on track.

“Their first quarters have been putrid,” added Crawford.

“But they are young, Sam will be fine, they just need to start quarters better.

“They need to mix up their midfield a bit, get a bit more run… get some real fast players through there.”

Hawthorn will have no better chance to finally open their 2024 account as they face the 18th-placed North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

In the midst of a rebuilding phase, the Hawks have a prime opportunity to win a first quarter as well as the game as a whole which will help to instil confidence into the emerging group.