HAWTHORN will again hand over the senior coaching reins to its assistant coaches during this year’s pre-season matches.
 
Assistants Cameron Bruce, Brett Ratten and Adem Yze will each coach a 2016 NAB Challenge match.
 
It’s the fifth year that senior coach Alastair Clarkson has passed on senior coaching duties during the pre-season to his assistants.
 
It continues what has been a successful initiative for the Hawks, with the assistant coaches receiving a learning opportunity that will benefit their long-term development.
 
Both Bruce and Ratten have led the Hawks in pre-season matches previously, while Yze will coach his and the Hawks’ first NAB Challenge match, against Carlton at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Thursday.
 
Ratten will take charge in the Hawks’ second match, against Richmond on February 27, while Bruce will sit in the hot seat for the Hawks’ final match, against North Melbourne on March 12.
 
GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said it was a great development opportunity for the club’s assistant coaches.
 
“It’s something we’ve done over the last couple of years, giving our assistant coaches the chance to coach,” Fagan said.
 
“It gives them the opportunity to see what it feels like to be a senior coach, both in the build-up to a game and on match-day, and we think it’s extremely beneficial for their development.”
 
Fagan said it also had benefits Clarkson and the playing group.
 
“It gives Clarko a chance to sit back and take a look at the team and individual performances ahead of the home-and-away season,” he said.
 
“We also see it as a way of keeping the players fresh during pre-season, with a number of different voices taking control.”