Dear Footy Tragics,

You may notice that this team summary is slightly different to previous team summaries. That’s because Toby has asked me to complete the Hawthorn team summary. I’m a passionate Hawks fan and I watch every Melbourne game live. Basically, I know the Hawks inside and out. Toby will be back next week, where he looks at Melbourne and North Melbourne - Tuney.

The Team:

The 2010 season can’t come quick enough for Hawthorn as they look to bounce back after a very disappointing 2009. With many of the Hawks big stars now fully fit after an early end to 2009 and the completion of full pre seasons, they are definitely looking to reclaim a top four spot this year.

In terms of dreamteam, I can’t see too many kids debuting for the Hawks this year with the arrivals of Shaun Burgoyne from Port Adelaide and Josh Gibson from North Melbourne. Competition for spots in the Hawthorn side will be hotly contested, so I’ve looked mainly at established players in this team summary, rather than at kids I don’t think will play in 2010.

Who’s Hot:

Jordan Lewis ($411,600): Lewis had a solid season in 2009, averaging 94 points per game after missing the first three matches of the season due to shoulder surgery in the off season. Despite missing a large chunk of the pre season, Lewis came into the side and performed admirably in trying circumstances for the Hawks.

Fast forward to February 2010 and Lewis has completed a full pre season and he is training the house down. Lewis has lost 7kgs in the pre season and moved very smoothly across the turf against Richmond on Saturday night. There is only one way to lose 7kgs in five months as an AFL footballer, and that is with serious gut running over summer. If Lewis can average 94 points per game with a limited fitness base, imagine what he could average with a full pre season under his belt. Lewis is a ball magnet with very strong hands and he loves to tackle. He sounds like the perfect dreamteam player to me.

Luke Hodge ($366,800): As an avid Hawks fan, it was painful for me watching Luke Hodge in 2009. Hodge ended the 2008 season as arguably the best player in the competition, with a Norm Smith medal and Premiership medal around his neck. Unfortunately, Hodge was a shadow of his former self for much of 2009 as he battled through a combination of shoulder and groin problems.

Hodge has completed a full pre season and now looks a picture of fitness after losing 5kgs over the summer. Hodge tore Richmond to ribbons on Saturday night as he cut a swathe through the midfield time after time before delivering passes laces out to Franklin and Roughead. We all know how good Hodge is and now that he is 100% fit, I expect him to dominate the competition again in 2010.

Buddy Franklin (354,900): After watching just 12 minutes of the Hawthorn vs Richmond game on Saturday night, I’d seen enough to be convinced Buddy will kick another 100 goals in 2010. The tape on Franklin’s left hand and thumb is gone, the powerful overhead marking is back and the lightning speed is also back. What’s more, Franklin’s kicking for goal was impeccable. When Hawthorn next meet Richmond in Round 8 at the MCG, Alex Rance should offer to carry Franklin’s bag to the game, rather than stand next to him in the goal square. Rance had nowhere to hide on Saturday night and looked like a deer in the headlights every time the ball came into Hawthorn’s attacking 50.

The great man is now 100% fit after minor foot surgery pre Christmas, so it’s time to get onboard and enjoy the ride. Keep in mind that Buddy will miss Round 1 through suspension.

Who’s Not:

Cyril Rioli ($334,900): Rioli has been put on ice over the last week due to groin soreness. The Hawks are hoping the injury is only minor, but missing a block of training in February is far from an ideal preparation. Rioli is still aiming to be fit for Round 1, but the Hawks will be taking a no risk policy with such a prized asset.

Shaun Burgoyne ($314,600): Burgoyne has only just joined the main training group after knee surgery in 2009. Burgoyne is also aiming to play Round 1, but he won’t have a solid fitness base behind him if he gets up for the season opener.

Clinton Young ($231,300): Young is still a long way off returning to the field due to an ongoing hip complaint. The hard running and penetrating kicking of Young was severely missed by the Hawks in 2009 and I wish him a speedy recovery.

The Bargain:

Rick Ladson ($185,100): Ladson was another player sorely missed by the Hawks in 2009. Ladson is the ultimate professional and he is very highly rated by the Hawthorn coaching staff. Ladson is one of the best kicks in the AFL and he gets the job done on a weekly basis with a minimum of fuss. While Ladson won’t average 90 plus points per game, he will average 70 - 75 points per game and play all 22 home and away matches if he remains injury free.

The Kid:

Ryan Schoenmakers ($181,800): It’s no surprise Port Adelaide tried so hard to lure Schoenmakers back to the city of churches over the off season, because he’s a precocious talent. It’s also no surprise that the Hawks told Port Adelaide to keep their grubby hands off him.

Schoenmakers really is a recruiting manager’s dream: 193cms, 86kgs, elite runner over short and long distance, big vertical leap, strong mark and effective kick on both sides of his body. What’s more, Schoenmakers looks like a natural footballer out on the field and like many quality players, always seems to have plenty of time.

In terms of dreamteam numbers in 2010, I’d expect Schoenmakers to average 50 - 55 points per game. I also expect him to play 22 home and away matches if he remains injury free, because he is currently in Hawthorn’s best 22 and very much in their long term plans.

The Premium:

Sam Mitchell ($449,200): Mitchell is a ball magnet and has been racking up 30 plus possessions on a regular basis for many years now. We’ve all seen Mitchell play many times, so we know what he will do if you select him in your side.

The Smokey:

Xavier Ellis ($305,600): Ellis is yet another Hawthorn player who was severely hampered by injury (hip, foot and ankle) in 2009. I’m pleased to say that Ellis has also done a full pre season and looked very impressive against Richmond on Saturday night. When watching Ellis last Saturday night, I wasn’t looking for him to rack up 40 possessions, I just wanted to make sure he was back to full fitness. I’ve seen enough in his 47 AFL games to know that he can seriously play our great game.

In conclusion, Ellis is fit, he’s underpriced and he’s in my side.

Good luck!