“Painful, very very painful”

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He’s had a pretty positive pre-season so far, but Angry Brad Klibansky has come off the long run, joining Darren Levin to dissect a pretty worrying final pre-season hitout against the Dogs.

Playing at Hawthorn’s home away from home — UTAS in Launceston — the Bulldogs thumped the Hawks by 57 points: 17.17 (119) to 9.8 (62).

Yes, it’s just a pre-season game, but there were some nervy signs with round one against the Bombers just two weeks away.

The midfield was comprehensively smashed (the Dogs were +9 for centre clearances), while a makeshift backline featuring new recruit Ethan Phillips — who impressed on debut — struggled against a stacked Bulldogs forward line.

Hawthorn’s forward line is still a work in progress, but there were glimpses of what’s to come from Nick Watson (six score involvements) and Jack Ginnivan (two goals). The pair’s bromance is well-established and they combined for an electric second quarter goal.

In other positives, Cam Mackenzie (19 disposals and one goal) and Henry Hustwaite (17 disposals) look set for a round one start, while Jai Newcombe (37 disposals) and Connor Macdonald (19 disposals, two goals) oozed class and poise on a tough afternoon.

Of course it’s just pre-season, but Mitch and his team will surely have concerns leading into round one.

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