CONSISTENCY, or a lack of it, has been a hallmark of Hawthorn’s 4-4 start to 2015.
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It is something the seventh-placed Hawks are looking to rectify in the indigenous round clash with Gold Coast at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Saturday, according to two-time premiership midfielder Liam Shiels.
Last weekend’s grand final rematch was the perfect example, with Sydney kicking the first six goals before the Hawks kicked nine of the next 11 to set up a 12-point final-quarter buffer only for the Swans to claim the last three and the points.
The premiers’ other losses have also been frustrating, falling well behind Port Adelaide and Essendon before just falling short and blowing a three-goal final-term lead against Greater Western Sydney.
‘‘With Gold Coast this weekend, and the game after against St Kilda, we will just be looking to play four good quarters,’’ Shiels told The Examiner.
‘‘We haven’t really been able to string a full game together, just playing good quarters really, and that is something we have been focused on.
‘‘Also, there is the fact that other teams are coming for us.
‘‘Clarko (coach Alastair Clarkson) was really pleased with the effort last week as we got ourselves into a position to win the game late.
‘‘We had a number of opportunities that we didn’t convert, not just in that final quarter, and the big positive to come out of that game is that when we did look down and out, we found a way to get back into the game.
‘‘But they did jump us, as Port Adelaide did, and we need to make sure we are ready to go from the first bounce, and heading forward that will be a real focus.
‘‘It is a concern, and it could be concentration from us, but we have time to rectify it.’’
The Hawks will receive a major boost with the return of skipper Luke Hodge, who has completed his three-match suspension for striking Andrew Swallow, with his team losing twice in his absence.
The 30-year-old was prolific at Aurora in round 3, collecting 44 possessions against the Western Bulldogs, a ground where the Hawks have won 19 of their last 20 matches, including the past 12.
‘‘It will be great to get our captain back, as his leadership is obviously fantastic,’’ said Shiels, who is averaging 18 touches a game and is equal seventh in the league for tackles per game (seven).
‘‘I know Hodgey’s character, and he would have been disappointed with what happened, and no doubt raring to go.’’
Shiels, 24, believed that despite Gold Coast’s horror injury run, they still had enough young talent to be dangerous.
‘‘We’ve had a focus over the past few weeks of getting our tackle and pressure numbers up, and we’ll have to continue that.’’
Round 9 celebrates the impact indigenous players have had on the game.
Both clubs will wear a special jumper of the occasion.
The Hawks have five indigenous players (Jed Anderson, Shaun Burgoyne, Bradley Hill, Cyril Rioli and Jermaine Mark-Miller-Lewis) on their list.
The Suns, who are 17th on the ladder with a 1-7 record, have seven (Harley Bennell, Jarrod Harbrow, Sean Lemmons, Jack Martin, Brandon Matera, Steven May and Jarrod Garlett).
It will also be the 100th match for Hawks forward Luke Breust.