'Hard' Hawks return pleases Clarkson

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson has said the team’s two inclusions this week in Luke Hodge and Tim Boyle should help them "make amends" for last week's loss to the Bulldogs.

But the news isn't as good for Brad Sewell, who misses out due to a shoulder injury and may be unavailable for round 12 as well.

"We really missed Hodgey and we also missed Timmy Boyle too. He’s been an important part of our forward line over the past couple of years," Clarkson said.

"Sewelly’s got a sore shoulder and will probably miss a couple of games … but to have Hodge and Boyle back in our mix is really good."

Clarkson believes the return of Hodge should also herald the return to "hard" football by the Hawks.

"The area of the game that the Western Bulldogs showed us up in last week was their attitude to win the hard contest. We’ve been really good in that area of the game and not just in the way we’ve handled it this year but in the last couple of seasons," said the Hawks' coach. 

"Mitchell, Hodge, Lewis, Sewell, Bateman -- those types of players are just real hard players and that’s what Hodge will bring back for us this week."

Defender Tom Murphy has been omitted from the side this week but Clarkson took the opportunity to compliment him and the younger members of the squad who have contributed solidly in the absence of several senior performers.

"We’ve won nine games, so they’ve performed admirably those kids to step up into the shoes of those guys who’ve been out injured or suspended. At some point in time over the next four to six weeks we’d be hopeful that we’ll start to collect a more senior gathering of players."

Clarkson said the top-of-the-table Hawks are wary of an Essendon side on the up.

"Essendon have been a pretty competitive side for the last six quarters that they’ve played. Their second half against Richmond and their whole game against the Adelaide Crows was very good so we'll try to nullify their strengths."