After Hawthorn’s 19-point loss to Geelong at the MCG on Monday, hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at the five main points to take out of the game.

1. Brian Lake is so important to Hawthorn
Just in case anyone had forgotten why last year’s Norm Smith medallist is a crucial part of Hawthorn’s make-up, they were reminded in the last 20 minutes of the Easter Monday blockbuster.

While Kyle Cheney has played above his height and weight range and done so well in the opening four rounds and three quarters, he was dominated by Tom Hawkins in the final quarter of Monday’s loss.

As Hawthorn tried to attack and win the game in the last quarter, Cheney was left one-on-one with Hawkins on the rebound, caught without the help of his fellow defenders that was important in the opening three quarters.

Hawkins kicked three final quarter goals to lead the Cats to victory, sparking debate over why Lake, an emergency for the game, was left out of the side.

Alastair Clarkson confirmed after the game that his prized full back was still underdone following a three-game suspension and pre-season calf injury, so wasn’t yet ready to return.

His strength in one-on-one contests and ability to mark off the opposition’s boot was missed dearly in the final term and will be a welcomed back with open and relieved arms by both fans and probably Cheney himself when he returns.
 

2. But the Hawks have found another reliable defender
When the hurt of another loss to Geelong and the performance of Hawkins washes off, the Hawks can take solace in the unearthing of another reliable and consistent defender who will do his job week in, week out.

Cheney has been a much maligned player to start his career but his first four games, in which he has been one of Hawthorn’s unsung heroes means he’s just another dependable and tough defender Hawthorn and Coach Alastair Clarkson can call upon.

When the Hawks have a full contingent of defenders to pick from, which includes Lake, Josh Gibson, Ben Stratton, Ryan Schoenmakers, Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Hodge and Taylor Duryea, Cheney will be one of those handy fourth or fifth defender capable of playing on both talls and smalls.

Cheney plays much like Gibson in that he is courageous, tough and not afraid to leave his man to help a teammate caught in a one-on-one contest. He is also a hard tackler and as selfless as they come.

In a fully fit Hawthorn defence, Cheney could be another shut-down player who becomes an important cog in the Hawthorn machine.
 

3. Langford does it again
For the third straight week, young Hawk Will Langford has nullified the influence of the opposition’s best onballer, this time Geelong’s Joel Selwood.

The Geelong skipper was kept to just 20 disposals, eight below his season average and failed to kick a goal, which has been one of his most valuable assets in the past 18 months.

While Steve Johnson got off the leash in the midfield as Langford limited Selwood, Clarkson and the youngster can take the positive in that he was able to limit one of the best midfielders in the game for the third week running.

For the record, his other two scalps are Gary Ablett and Fremantle’s David Mundy.
 

4. Hallahan on debut
He played just a quarter in his first ever AFL game but Hawk midfielder Mitch Hallahan looked accomplished at senior level.

It has taken four years for the onballer to break into the Hawthorn side but fans finally got to see why he was equal best player in the VFL last season as the joint winner of the J.J Liston Trophy.

Clean at ground level and tough in the clinches, Hallahan gathered six disposals when he was subbed on at the start of the final term for Ben McEvoy and even kicked a great goal from 50m.

That goal, which he found a small gap in the defence of Geelong through the middle then had the awareness to realise he had a meter or two of space to play on, steady and goal from beyond 50 was a special moment.

Not to mention he had the ability to stand up and be proactive as his team stared down another loss at the 26-minute mark of the final term.
 

5.  Jordan Lewis the new clearance specialist?
For years it has been an area dominated by Sam Mitchell but as the four-time Peter Crimmins medallist enters a new stage of his career, in which he is spending more time across half-back, Lewis has become Hawthorn’s new clearance king.

Going into Monday’s game, Lewis was ranked number one at the Hawks for clearances in the opening four rounds and he was again Hawthorn’s most dangerous player at the stoppages, winning an equal game-high of eight.

That takes his season average to 6.2 to be ranked number one for both overall clearances and centre clearances (2.6 game average in the first five weeks).

For the record, Hawthorn’s second best clearance player this year is Langford, with an average of 4.4 per game, followed by Mitchell, Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne.

It means Clarkson, together with his assistant coaches are building a strong, clearance winning midfield that has a number of different options available when needed.