Clarkson wary of Eagles

IT MIGHT be a clash between last year’s premier and the side that finished 15th but Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Saturday’s match against West Coast is no gimmee.

In fact, Clarkson says there is plenty to like about the Eagles in 2009.

“Their midfield is up and going but they are playing good footy right across the park, West Coast,” he said.

The sides clash on Anzac Day at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, with the Eagles surprisingly sitting above the Hawks on the AFL ladder after four rounds.

West Coast has won two matches, both against highly-rated opponents in the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide.

However, both of those victories came at Subiaco Oval. They were more than competitive in their round one loss to the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba but were spanked by St Kilda in round three at Docklands.

Their record at Aurora is fair, with two wins from four clashes against the Hawks.

Clarkson has demanded greater intensity from his side after losing to the Power at their home ground, the MCG, last weekend.

And he remains wary of the Eagles at the club’s second home in Tasmania.

With his defence still struggling without premiership trio Trent Croad, Stephen Gilham and Grant Birchall, he sees the Eagles forward set-up as a danger.

“A guy like (Mark) LeCras is one of the leading goalkickers in the competition and can be a focal point for them,” Clarkson said.

“And (Quinten) Lynch has kicked a lot of goals, (Ashley) Hansen is a very capable player .

“We need to put a lot of pressure right across the ground to limit the amount of supply we get in there.

“If we do that then we give ourselves a real good chance but if they get a lot of supply and get it into the quality of those forwards then they are going to hurt you.”

One area the Hawks should hold sway is in the midfield.

Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis, Chance Bateman and Brad Sewell are a more than formidable quartet.

However, Clarkson says West Coast’s engine room has plenty of talent as well.

“It is not just [Daniel] Kerr, [Matthew] Priddis is in very good form, [Andrew] Embley is in good form, you know the credentials of [Dean] Cox, getting great support from Lynch,” Clarkson said.

“They’ve got great depth, they’ve brought in a bloke like [Sam] Butler who is capable of winning a lot of the footy and you’ve also got [Matt] Rosa who is also playing good footy after being injured.”