THE HAWKS will be without seven premiership players for their season opener against Brisbane on Saturday but defender Grant Birchall says the side has the depth to cover the missing stars.
Ben Stratton and Brad Sewell won’t play due to hamstring injuries sustained two weeks ago, Brian Lake and Cyril Rioli are suspended, Brent Guerra and Max Bailey have retired while Lance Franklin departed for Sydney under free agency rules.
Coach Alastair Clarkson has blooded a number of young players over the pre-season, with youngsters like Angus Litherland, Derick Wanganeen and Kurt Heatherley filling senior defensive positions and Kyle Cheney has impressed as a key defender.
Birchall says any one of those players could step into a role in defence and their teammates will have full confidence in their ability to contribute.
“We’ve got a range of guys that can go out there and play that role – Angus Litherland, young Wanganeen and Cheney, these type of blokes have done really well over the pre-season,” he said at the Ricoh Centre on Monday.
“They’ve been in the system now for four or five years and they know how to play their role.
“We’ve got full confidence in those guys being able to come in and play well.”
The Hawks beat an inexperienced Brisbane team by 131 points in the NAB Challenge four weeks ago, but Birchall says Saturday’s clash at Aurora Stadium will be much different.
Missing from that Brisbane team were senior players Jed Adcock, Tom Rockliff, Jonathan Brown, Jack Redden, Daniel Rich, Brent Moloney, Pearce Hanley, Matthew Leuenberger, Ash McGrath, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patful and former Tiger Luke McGuane.
“I don’t think you take a lot out of it, they’ll bring some more experienced guys into their line-up this week and they’ll be ready to go,” he said.
“They’ve got some pretty good, talented midfielders so I think that’ll be the area that’s most crucial.
“Hopefully we can get on top there, get it into our forward line and lock it in and give them (our forwards) every opportunity.”
Personally, Birchall is feeling fit and healthy ahead of his ninth season, after overcoming a knee complaint during the pre-season.
The running defender has played one pre-season game in preparation for Saturday’s season opener – the big win over Melbourne at Casey Fields, but says he’s ready for Round 1.
His hunger for success, like his teammates is still alive.
“I’ve had a little bit of an interrupted pre-season with my knee but the last couple of weeks it has come on really well,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the season ahead and just trying to improve my game bit by bit.
“The hunger is still there from last year, so I can’t wait to get back into it.”
