Hawthorn boast a number of players who can play in a variety of roles, with Matt Suckling the latest addition.
Suckling, a prolific disposer of the football across half back for the Hawks found himself at the opposite end of the ground against Fremantle at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.
The left-footer had an immediate impact, booting a long-range goal from beyond the arc, and took his tally to two with another goal in the final term.
“That’s been pretty important, that versatility,” Sewell said.
“There’s a number of guys who can roll through the midfield and if someone’s having an off day, then we’ve got the ability to throw somebody else in there who can play a role for us.
“That’s as equally important for the midfielders to go forward and potentially go back as well.”
Sewell says the ability to have players play in a variety of roles throughout a match has been something the Club has been working on, with an aim to create depth within the list.
“We’ll keep playing around with the midfield, the forward line and juggling guys to make we’ve got the best mix for the day,” he said.
“(We need to) make sure that the guys have the experience to play in any position if required.”
Adding to that versatility, are the two players who have filled the void left by the injured Max Bailey in the ruck.
David Hale and Jarryd Roughead have been exceptional for the Hawks in their role as ruckmen who rest in the forward half, with Roughead booting four goals playing in that role in Saturday’s win.
Hale too, is enjoying a rich vein of form, statistically having one of his best games for the Club against the Dockers, gathering 14 disposals, five marks, four clearances, 19 hit outs and a goal.
“We’ve known for a long time their abilities in the ruck, but I think their consistencies throughout the game has been pretty important for us,” Sewell said.
“(It) has probably enabled our midfielders to get first look at the ball.”
“He’s (Roughead) really starting to get some confidence back in his jumping, he’s been really good and we know what Hayley can do forward as well, he’s certainly a tall target down there.
“He (Hale) competes well and if he doesn’t mark it, he’ll bring it down for our crumbers to hopefully put some scoreboard pressure on.
“It has been really important for those guys to be able to play in the ruck and then go forward.
“They’ve been working really well together.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
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