Alastair Clarkson's ongoing list strategy at the Hawks has come into question as the club faces another bottom four finish.
The decision to acquire players from rival clubs rather than prioritise the draft has been looked down upon by Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes.
Cornes ridiculed the club's list management off the back of their fall from grace across the past half-decade.
โIf thereโs one area of weakness for Alastair Clarkson, particularly in the last six years, it is his influence over which players are recruited to that club," said Cornes on SEN.
looks on during the round 14 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 21, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
โThe only reason they are in 18th spot or will be by the end of the home and away season is because of the list management mistakes they have made and neglecting the draft."
"They went the opposite way and now they are paying for that."
Not only did the Port Adelaide great continue to disprove the club's poor draft use, but even went as far as to question the recruitment of 2018 Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell.
Whilst Cornes did not disregard Mitchell's talent, he did go on to question the club's decision to move a high-value draft pick to do so.
โIโm not questioning Tom Mitchellโs form as a Hawthorn player, but what you gave up at that time was the wrong thing to do when you clearly needed to rebuild that list and get as much talent through the draft as you possibly could,โ he said.
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Cornes also highlighted the recruitment of Chad Wingard, who joined the club in 2018 and is seen as a prime example of poor list management in Cornes' eyes.
โThat was the wrong call for where Hawthorn were at, to give up Ryan Burton who is playing unbelievable football for Port Adelaide at the moment, and was at the time one of only two first round draft picks they had on their list,โ Cornes said.
โOn what Wingard has delivered and the difference between what Burton and Duursma have meant for Port Adelaide, was a massive mistake.
โTom Scully, mistake. Jonathon Patton, mistake. Jaeger OโMeara, mistake. Frost, Hartigan, the list goes on.โ
However with the four-time premiership coach reaching the end of his Hawthorn career, Cornes believes that the move is a "good thing" for the clubs future.
โWe all admire, we all recognise one of the greatest coaches in the modern era. But if thereโs one chink, heโs got a horrible record in the last six years when it comes to list management" said Cornes.
โThatโll be taken out of his hands. Thatโs a good thing because itโs the one little blip on his record.โ
Hawthorn are currently tied on points with 18th-placed North Melbourne with four matches remaining in the season.
The Hawks will face Brisbane, Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond to end their home and away campaign.
