HAWTHORN ruckman Ben McEvoy says he hopes his partnership with fellow ruckman Jonathon Ceglar will pay dividends later in the season.

McEvoy says while some sides have gone with a solo ruck man in 2016, the Hawks’ two-man combination was working for the team in the early stages of the season.

“It probably suits us to keep two (ruckmen) in there. We should be able to benefit from it later in the year,” he told 6PR Radio’s Sports Today.

“It’s a long season, so to be able to share the workload is really important.”

Fremantle will be without number one ruckman Aaron Sandilands this week when they take on the Hawks in Tasmania, with his absence already having an impact on the Dockers.

Greater Western Sydney kicked 11 goals from stoppages in their win over Fremantle in Perth last week – highlighting the importance of having a dominant ruckman on the field.

The Hawks meanwhile are coming off a runaway victory against Richmond, with the pressure of the Hawks late in each quarter a highlight of their fifth win in 2016.

Hawthorn kicked 15 of their 21 goals against the Tigers last week in ‘red time’, and McEvoy said it was all to do with pressure the Hawks were able to apply on their opposition.

“You can withstand pressure for a while but late in quarters it’s really tough, so (kicking goals late in quarters) is an indication of our pressure,” he said.

“We want to have good pressure all the time and score as often as we can, and when players get tired late in quarters and late in games it can tend to open up.”

McEvoy said although the Hawks have been without some key personnel again already this season, the players who had come into the side had played their role.

“I think it’s a real positive for us. You don’t want to have your great players out but it forces you to adapt and get some experience into younger guys,” McEvoy said.

Despite the Dockers missing a host of stars from their side, McEvoy said the Hawks would be prepared for a fierce effort from their opposition.

“Having played under Ross Lyon (at former club St Kilda), he always demands really strong effort from his players, and any time you get that effort you’re a massive chance to win,” he said.

“They’ll be desperate for a win having not got one this year and we’ll certainly have our guard up.”