ONE OF Alastair Clarkson's former chief lieutenants is "bullish" about Hawthorn's potential to buck the doomsayers' predictions and return to the finals this year.
David Rath spent 13 years at the Hawks after being one of Clarkson's first hires in 2004, and was a key piece of the club's four premierships in that time.
The man once dubbed "a mad scientist in running shorts" transformed Hawthorn into the League's best kicking team – vital to its possession-maintaining style – and travelled overseas regularly to monitor other sports' tactics.
Rath's deep understanding of the game, and coach education background, helped him win the AFL's newly created coaching innovation and education manager role pre-Christmas.
That is his focus these days, but he saw enough in the Hawks' mid-season revival last year, after an inauspicious 1-5 beginning, to predict a rebound back to elite company.
"I've seen some predictions of them finishing mid-table, but I don't see them going that way – I'm actually quite bullish about them," Rath told AFL.com.au.
"I see a lot of really strong reasons for them to get back up there, because they had a pretty tough run with injuries last year and they tinkered with a few things strategically early in the season, as Clarko's wont to do – and not all of those bore immediate fruit."
AFL.com.au journalists predicted Hawthorn, which starts its 2018 campaign against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night, to finish 10th this year after placing 12th in 2017.
The Hawks had not sat out of the post-season since 2009 before that.
Clarkson's belated faith in his young talent – namely Ryan Burton, James Sicily, Blake Hardwick, Daniel Howe, Tim O'Brien, Kaiden Brand and Conor Glass – plus some game-plan tweaks sparked a resurgence that fell just short of finals.
"I don't have undying faith that Clarko's a messiah and can do anything," Rath said.
"You can only manage the situation you're in, but I don't think things are as dire as people say. I don't think Hawthorn has gone as backwards as people say.
"I think they've got an incredibly talented list, they've got real belief they're heading in the right direction and they've got some players back, so I'd be pretty bullish about them."
The argument against the Hawks quickly ascending the mountain again is the fact it remains the oldest and most experienced list in the competition.
Seven of the 10 Hawthorn footballers Champion Data rates above average or elite are aged 27 or older at the start of the new season.
But the commitment to youth last year uncovered some gems, particularly NAB AFL Rising Star runner-up Burton and Sicily, and Clarkson tipped one-gamer Harry Morrison to have a breakout season.
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The Hawks also lured 22-year-old speedster Jarman Impey from Port Adelaide in the off-season, while reigning club champion Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O'Meara are both only 24.
Flag stars Cyril Rioli (seven games in 2017), James Frawley and Ben Stratton (both eight) are in Hawthorn's round one side, while one-time forward O'Brien is preparing to do a backline apprenticeship.
