Season preview - Hawthorn

Essential information
Coach: Alistair Clarkson (8th season)
2011 season: 18 wins, 4 losses (3rd overall)

Player changes
In: Jarrad Bouman, Luke Bruest, Jack Gunston (from Adelaide), Bradley Hill, Jordan Kelly, Alex Woodward
Out: Jordan Lisle, Rick Ladson, Brent Renouf, Will Sierakowski, Jordan Williams



Players to watch:
Jarryd Roughead: While Lance Franklin grabs all the attention, Roughead stops the both the Hawks and the opposition from becoming too Buddy focussed. Hawthorn almost made the Grand Final without him, which is a scary thought. Red head who lives up to his name.
Josh Gibson: A vital piece of an undersized and inexperienced defence. Excellent spoiler and on field communicator, but can get exposed one-on-one. Without him, Hawks look distinctly vulnerable down back. Apparently a bit of a nightclub specialist.

Question to ask Hawthorn fans:

• Cats or Pies in the Grand Final?
• How good is Buddy Franklin?

Questions not to ask:

• Yellow and brown?
• Is Rioli the most overrated player in the competition? 

Prediction: There is a sense of inevitability and entitlement around the Hawks which I'm not so sure about. Since their premiership year in 2008, Hawthorn have only beaten their main flag rivals Collingwood once, and Geelong not at all. That's not to say that can't change this year, with the Hawks vaunted forward set up and deep midfield. If they can avoid a repeat of 2009, when they entered the season with similar expectations, it could be more Laps on Chaps for Hawthorn fans. Top three