The obvious outstanding big question is can the Hawks revive their 2008 winning formula? Injuries happen to all teams & I still can’t see the logic behind blaming injuries for their 2009 end result.

The other question is can the recruits of Josh Gibson, Shaun Burgoyne & Rhan Hooper make a difference? I can see one for those three being a success to the Hawks, but which one? Read on & see.

The Hawks have a slightly better than even draw (0.499) in 2010 by playing Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong & the Bulldogs twice as well as traveling to Port Adelaide & Sydney.

Jordan Lewis is looking fitter in 2010, so will that make him an improver for Dreamteam 2010?

The Hawks 2009 list average is 979 points and at a price of around $286,900 each.

Best Buys

Brad Sewell (midfield) $446,100 – Sewell averaged 101.5 points & racked up 30 or more disposals on 4 occasions in 2009 with career highs of 19 kicks .vs. West Coast in round 5 & 12 tackles .vs. Richmond.

Sewell ranked 5th in tackles per game, 6th in inside 50’s per game, 9th in tackles, 12th in handballs per game & 16th in Dreamteam score per game.

Jordan Lewis (midfield) $411,600 – A fitter looking Lewis has the Hawks hoping he can keep his temper also leaner with a 93.7 average.

Lewis racked up 30 or more disposals 5 times in 2009 including career highs of 21 kicks .vs. Adelaide in round 10 & 7 tackles .vs. West Coast in the Naitanui massacre & 3 hitouts .vs. West Coast in round 5.

Lewis ranked 20th in disposals per game & I believe he’s the best true blue Hawks bargain for his position.

Luke Hodge (defence) $366,800 – Hodge averaged 83.5 in 2009 & he’s another that at times needs to keep his fists in check.

Hodge racked up 30 or more disposals twice with a career high 20 handballs .vs. West Coast in round 13.

Hodge can also be selected for the midfield, so could be handy under tight budgets at a great bargain price.

Cyril Rioli (forward) $334,900 – This all depends on how Rioli’s groin holds out prior to round 1. The dreaded “OP” could cut down one of the AFL’s exciting young players for 2010.

Rioli averaged 76.2 in 2009 with career highs of 9 marks .vs. Essendon in round 22, 9 tackles .vs. Geelong & 4 goals .vs. Adelaide in round 10.

Rioli was ranked 15th in inside 50s per game, so the Hawks really need him to be fit.

Grant Birchall (defence) $327,900 – Birchall’s a very effective defender with a 74.6 average in 2009 with his best 29 disposals .vs. Geelong in round 1.

Probably not a household name, but I may just get to know him better with such a good price.

Josh Gibson (defence) $303,600 – Gibson skulked from the Kangaroos with an average of 69.1 in 2009 with a career high 31 disposals .vs. Brisbane in round 17. In fact, 2009 was his best year with career highs in all categories bar his goal tally.

It all depends how you see it for Gibson. Yes, he’s in a better team, so he may not get as much of the footy. Or, it may be down to the “Medhurst” rule & he might star. It’s worth seriously thinking about.

Thomas Murphy (defence) $266,900 – The Hawks have a good young bunch at around the same price range (see below). Murphy averaged 60.9 in 2009 & the 23 year old can take a grab & tackle well, making him a defender of the future.

Risky Best Buys

Travis Tuck (midfield) $299,600 – Tuck played 11 games in 2009 with an average of 68.2 & had a career best game .vs. Geelong in round 1 with 31 disposals, 21 handballs, 7 marks & 6 hitouts.

Obviously starts well fresh so could be worth a short profit early in the season.

Beau Dowler (defence) $285,600 – Dowler had 13 games in 2009 for an average of 65.0 in his breakout season. He saved his best for the round 6 thriller .vs. Carlton with career highs of 24 disposals & 13 kicks.

I expect him to be a season regular in 2010, so another good cheap profitable option.

Stephen Gilham (defender) $243,400 – Gilham averaged only 55.4 points & struggled with a dodgy knee in 2009, although he showed his best in the round 20 loss .vs. Adelaide with career highs of 26 disposals & 17 handballs.

If that’s an indication that his knee troubles are over, then he’s worth a second thought.

Rhan Hooper (forward) $237,300 – The former Lion has a troubled reputation. So why not go to the Hawks? Oh, dear.

Hooper averaged 54.0 in 2009 & had a season best 18 disposals, 13 kicks & 5 marks .vs. West Coast in round 1.

Watch the selection table if Rioli doesn’t come up because Hooper is not only good fresh, but starting fresh & moving clubs could spell either a bonus or a trip on the SS Lovett.

Ryan Schoemakers (defence) $181,000 – The “Cobbler” made a good impression in his debut year & comes into his second season as the best $180000-$190000 bargain thus far.

Schoemakers comes in around $25,000 cheaper than expected.

Hawthorn Top 10 2009

1. Sam Mitchell (midfield) $449,200
2. Brad Sewell (midfield) $446,100
3. Chance Bateman (midfield) $376,100
4. Jordan Lewis (midfield) $411,600
5. Lance Franklin (forward) $354,900
6. Luke Hodge (defence) $366,800
7. Josh Gibson (defence) $303,600
8. Cyril Rioli (forward) $334,900
9. Grant Birchall (defence) $327,900
10. Jarryd Roughead (forward) $321,700

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