RYAN Schoenmakers has revealed Hawthorn players have addressed concerns that 2014 might not be their year following the club's horrible run of bad luck.
The two-time premiership coach is at least another month away from returning to the helm, while Sam Mitchell, Josh Gibson, Brian Lake and Cyril Rioli are on the comeback trail from injury.
With those key personnel sidelined – and with skipper Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell, Ben McEvoy and Ben Stratton among others who have missed multiple matches – it seems only natural that negative thoughts would have crossed the players' minds.
"I suppose we addressed that a little bit," Hawks swingman Ryan Schoenmakers told AFL.com.au.
"We know there's a few things that probably haven't gone our way this year but the resilience of the group is one thing.
"We want to be united and really stick together strong, and know that we can get through adversity like this and come out better on the other side.
"(It's) another great opportunity for the club as a whole to step up and be united."
Despite facing significant hurdles the Hawks are still perched second on the ladder with a 7-3 record.
It's cause for some optimism, provided the reigning premiers can build their form and fitness in the second half of the year.
With uncertainty surrounding Clarkson's return, the task of steering the Hawks towards finals could fall to interim coach Brendon Bolton.
"I'm sure all the boys have got great confidence in him," Schoenmakers said.
"He did a good job on the weekend and his strengths as a coach are sometimes different to 'Clarko'.
"He just loves football. Like 'Clarko', he's very passionate. He's so excited about what he does and loves teaching.
"Out on the ground and delivering messages to the boys he seemed very composed and very comfortable at the level."
After four games back from a knee reconstruction, Schoenmakers is also starting to feel at home in his swingman role.
The 23-year-old booted four goals in his return match - the Hawks' 145-point demolition of St Kilda in round seven – but has covered for Lake and Gibson in defence since.
"I enjoy playing forward, I played a lot there as a junior and it's obviously exciting kicking the goals and being up the front end," Schoenmakers said.
"But down back it's good to have the boys around me and when 'Gibbo' was down there it's obviously nice to have him chopping out all the time.
"I've been really happy with the knee and my match fitness is slowly getting back up to a level that I'm happy with."
Twitter: @TravKing_AFL
