This year: 12 wins, 1 draw, 9 losses, 110.67 percentage
This year's grade: C+
Positives from this year: The last 15 games. Hawthorn showed that it was capable of matching it with the premier sides in the competition with a barnstorming run into the finals that included a seven-game winning streak from Round 8 to 14 and 11 wins and a draw from the last 15. Along the way, wins over the Western Bulldogs in Round 14, a narrow two-point loss to Geelong the next week, a draw against St Kilda in Round 17 and a thrilling win over minor premier Collingwood in Round 22 saw the Hawks loom as the competition's wildcard. But, as is always the case without the double chance you are susceptible to an early exit as the Hawks found out in brutal fashion at Subiaco against the Dockers. Of the players that shined, Luke Hodge showed again why he is the club's spiritual leader with his best season to date. He was going head-to-head in Brownlow medal favouritism with Dane Swan before a knee injury late in the season contributed to a downturn in form. The inclusion of gun recruit Shaun Burgoyne, who only got better as the season progressed, will also please the Hawthorn faithful. He showed why the club invested so much faith in him and confirmed his star quality with a stellar second half to the season after recovering from knee and hamstring injuries. Ben Stratton was another the Hawks managed to unearth down back, he'll be earmarked to fill the void left by Gold Coast recruit Campbell Brown and looks a star of the future.
Negatives from this year: The first seven games. Hawthorn got off to a horror start, losing six games on the trot after a promising first-up 56-point win over Melbourne. From there it was always going to be an uphill battle. The Hawks too often showed the alarming difference between their best and worst with losses to the likes of West Coast and Essendon contrasted with wins over the Bulldogs and high-flying Pies. Jarryd Roughead had an average season by his standards and failed to take that next step that perhaps he will never take, particularly while he's in the shadow of Lance Franklin. Blessed with all the agility and strength required to be a genuine modern-day power forward, you can't help but feel it's all between the ears for Roughead. And, although he booted 53 goals for the season, a respectable total in anyone's language, he rarely took a game by the scruff of the neck and time and time again missed crucial shots in big matches. Off the field, President Jeff Kennett's vociferous criticism of what he believed to be sub-par performances riled many. His scathing attack on the Hawks after their 44-point loss to Sydney in Round 19 drew criticism from Shane Crawford and an awkward handshake-snub from coach Alistair Clarkson after he claimed the Hawks had been outcoached. Add to that revelations surrounding Travis Tuck's third strike under the AFL's illicit drugs policy and his subsequent overdose just days before the Hawk's Elimination Final with Fremantle, and it proved to be a sour end to the season, one where the Hawks failed to reach expectations yet again.
Likely departures: Campbell Brown's departure to the Gold Coast came as little surprise with conjecture over his future all throughout the season. Others that failed to make a mark include Beau Dowler, who couldn't add to his 16 games in 2010. The No.6 draft pick in 2005 looks to be on his last legs along with rookie-listed Cameron Stokes and Jarryd Morton, both of whom took backwards steps in 2010. Rick Ladson lost his place late in the season but earned a reprieve for the elimination-final loss to Fremantle. The 2008 premiership player may be shopped around in trade week with ruckman Simon Taylor potential trade bait as well. Those on the fringe worthy of at least another year include Garry Moss, Beau Muston, Matt Suckling, Brendan Whitecross and Tuck, who will be given special consideration for a rookie-list spot up until the end of March 2011.
Next year:
Type of players needed: The Hawks have a plethora of hard in-and-under midfielders in Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis but could certainly uses some dash in that department. And, despite Brent Renouf's impressive development in the ruck and the handy acquisition of Wayde Skipper, Hawthorn may chase another ruckman in trade week, with promising youngster Max Bailey no certainty to return from a third knee reconstruction. Down back, the Hawks looked shaky at times this season and with the loss of Brown in mind, the Hawks could do with a key backman to shore things up. Chris Tarrant may be one they look at with his impending move back to Melbourne.
Likely improvement: A solid pre-season and a fresh list come the start of the 2011 season for one. The Hawks simply can't afford to be chasing the pack for a third-straight season. In terms of the list, it's hard to see too many youngsters coming through. Stratton showed real poise and nouse in his first season and looks a long-term option down back in the mould of a Dale Morris while Ryan Shoenmaker's could potentially hold down a key position in defence if he takes the next step. But really, the Hawks have the cattle on the park and have shown they can beat anyone on their day, they just need to find more consistency and close the gap between their best and worst in order to make the top four.
Finals next year? More to the point, can they crack the top four for the first time since their premiership-winning year in 2008? The Hawthorn hierarchy will surely move swiftly to usher Clarko out the door if the Hawks fail to make the finals in 2011.