Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Hawthorn defender Josh Battle admits last year’s preliminary final exit still stings as Sam Mitchell’s men gear up for another shot at reaching an AFL season decider.
The Hawks will host the reigning premier Brisbane Lions or Adelaide at the MCG next week, with a grand final spot on the line.
The opportunity comes after Mitchell engineered a stunning qualifying final upset of Fremantle, which earned the Hawks direct passage to the last four.
They return to that stage after being denied by arch-rivals Geelong in the penultimate week last season.
“That was obviously disappointing. We had a really good season but then let ourselves down in the prelim,” Battle said on Saturday.
“Definitely this time around we’ll be look to make amends for that.
“We’re confident within the group that when we play our best footy we can match it against anyone. At our best, we’re really hard to play against.”
Hawthorn have not featured in a grand final since the end of the Alastair Clarkson-led dynasty in 2015, and only Jack Gunston remains from that premiership team.
Mitchell’s new era of Hawks are in their third consecutive finals campaign under the four-time flag hero, and Battle believes the growing experience will serve them well.
“Finals footy is really hot, really contested, so having a taste of it last year will hold us in good stead going forward,” the former St Kilda defender said.
“From a personal point of view, I’d never played in a prelim. I thought it was amazing to play in that game (last year).”
The majority of Hawthorn players were put through their paces in a solid training session in front of fans at the Kennedy Community Centre on Saturday.
Jack Ginnivan, Blake Hardwick and veteran forward Jack Gunston were on lighter duties, but will be available for the preliminary final.
Battle gave Mitch Lewis the green light after the key forward suffered an injury scare when he hurt a shoulder in the win over Fremantle.
“He was really good out there today,” Battle said.
“Me and him lined up on each other for a bit and I didn’t even really notice it, to be honest.
“He didn’t say anything and I thought he trained really well.”
