Why all the Hawthorn bashing?

So last week I said Adelaide were this year's Hawthorn, and this week I said Eddie McGuire is the new Jeff Kennett.

But what does that make Hawthorn?

According to many voices in football this week, the Hawks are stuffed. 1-3 doesn't read well. Their 64-point loss to Collingwood didn't look too good. The injury curse has stuck around, too. That can't be good.

So, again, what does that make Hawthorn?

Well, when you look at things like win-loss records after four games, it's hard to draw conclusions. Similarly, when you look at and scrutinize just one single game, it's ridiculous to draw conclusions. And judging a team being hit by injuries ain't so smart either.

Which is why the media have come down too hard this week.

Footy Classified, in their infinite wisdom, chose to run with the state of the Hawks as its lead - ahead of the state of Adelaide, a club with four losses, none of which were particularly close contests and none of which were against top four teams from last year.

I couldn't believe it.

The Hawks took it right up to both Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, two genuine premiership contenders and top four teams of last year. Commendable losses, they were.

They didn't show up against Collingwood, their third such opponent in as many weeks, but that was their first genuine bad performance for the year.

One bad game and the media circles. It doesn't seem fair.

Now look, personally I believe their chances of a premiership are slim to none. Their depleted ruck stocks - and the fact the ruck stocks don't look so great even when they aren't depleted - create problems. Their key defenders aren't great, either.

But they will ruffle some feathers as the year goes on. They will continue to take it to the big sides. They will, according to this writer at least, go on to make the finals.

They've only put in one bad performance. So let's get off their backs.

Adelaide, on the other hand ...

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