It’s now just under a month until Hawks fans will get their first glimpse of the boys in the JLT Series.
New recruits, fresh draftees, positional changes – everything gets put under the microscope as footy fans’ appetites are finally appeased.
But how much will the JLT Series figure as a true form guide once the season proper comes around?
History suggests not much.
Hawthorn has played 17 pre-season games over the past six years, winning just six of these at a rate of just over 35 per cent.
Whereas over the last six seasons of home and away games and finals, the Hawks have been victorious in 104 of their 146 outings, a winning percentage of over 71%.
Of the 11 pre-season losses since 2013, the Hawks have ultimately finished higher on the ladder than each of their respective victors in each of the consequential home and away seasons.
The average winning and losing margins over the course of these six summer campaigns is also interesting.
While the Hawks have lost by an average of 20 points across their 11 losses, including three one-point losses from their four practice games in the summer of 2013, the averaging winning margin extends beyond ten goals.
The JLT Series might not supply the greatest indication of future fortunes but, with under a month to go, we think everyone can agree it will just be exciting to have footy back.
