Ginnivan: How newly recruited stars fit into Hawthorn's game plan

Off the back of their nine-point preliminary final loss to Brisbane, the Hawks have made significant efforts to improve their list, with Jack Ginnivan giving his assessment on how their newly recruited stars could fit into their best 23.

This year’s defeat marked back-to-back preliminary final losses for the brown and gold, with Sam Mitchell’s men hoping to make it one better in 2027 through their improvements.

One of those additions was three-time All-Australian Zach Merrett.

After trying to join the Hawks from Essendon last year, the star midfielder got his move this Trade Period, seeing Hawthorn add more star quality into their best 23.

With his skills, Ginnivan believes Merrett could play in a mixture of positions.

“I reckon a mixture of wing, back and midfield,” he told SEN’s The Summer Run.

“I like him off half back. I think having good users and being quick is definitely beneficial off the half-back line, so I reckon there's a spot for him there.”

The other major addition was key forward Ben King.

Finishing third in the Coleman Medal this year, the former Sun is consistently able to find the goals as the Hawks look to improve their offensive output.

And with his strong running skills, the 2023 Premiership player sees King playing a similar role to what Mitch Lewis had with Hawthorn this season.

“Yeah, 100%,” Ginnivan continued.

“I reckon he plays up the ground. (I) haven't had that conversation with anyone, but I think he's very athletic, can mark, and when he goes up the ground, he can beat his opponents back. He's really fit.

“I reckon there's a great opportunity, sort of what Mitch Lewis did this year and had a massive impact.

“These fit, tall forwards who can get up, get back are really impactful, and those marks in between the arcs are the really important ones.

“We see (Josh) Treacy take them. They're really important.”

While the Hawks have made plenty of additions, they’ve also been able to retain players, most notably Calsher Dear.

Despite interest from several Victorian clubs, the young forward elected to re-sign with Hawthorn for two more seasons, which came as somewhat of a surprise to Ginnivan.

But he’s glad that the father-son will remain at the club and backs him to continue his development after only playing five AFL games this season.

“Yeah, a little bit, I guess,” he explained.

“But it was great because he's one of my best mates at the club, so it was great to see him stay.

“I've got a lot of faith in him. He's only in year three.

“Sometimes it takes a while for a key forward to build training habits and things that he really values.

“It took me probably three years, and then year three/year four is when you start to really pick what you wanna do and value what you wanna value.”