Crawford says Hawthorn could call time on veterans

In the last couple of off-seasons, Hawthorn have made some bold list management calls and axed premiership heroes including Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.

And club legend Shane Crawford believes there could be some more big names on the chopping block come season’s end.

Captain Jarryd Roughead and defenders Shaun Burgoyne and Grant Birchall are the names whose futures are unknown beyond this season.

Roughead was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, undergoing chemotherapy to return to football in 2017, but Crawford is uncertain as to whether he will be at the club next year.

“I think there’s a question mark (on Roughead),” Crawford said on SEN Breakfast.

“I hope people take into account what he’s been through. He’s had to fight for his life.

“What has that done to his body? Not only has he been able to play, but he’s played some good football, he’s the captain of the club, I really hope that they take all that into account.

“I think it’s a remarkable story that he’s even playing.”

Crawford also weighed in on what he thinks the futures of Birchall and Burgoyne will look like.

“You’ve got players like Shaun Burgoyne and Grant Birchall who’ve been amazing, but (Clarkson will) also be extremely respectful and they’ll know what he’s thinking right now.”

“He’s always thinking what’s best for the footy club and what’s going to move them forward and as much as we love these players, you’ve got to move on.

“I think (Burgoyne) will play on.

“(Birchall) hasn’t been able to get on the ground. I don’t want to end anyone’s career, but you’d think he probably (won’t be there).

The 1999 Brownlow medallist has faith that his beloved Hawks can still make it to September but with injuries to some key players, he thinks their depth will be tested.

“Their top 22 are really good, I think depth wise they’re struggling a touch, so this is where it gets a bit tough,” Crawford said.

“I still think they’ll be thereabouts. I still think they can scrape into the finals, they’ve got winnable games.

“I had concerns about them last year, but the master coach found a way to get them competitive.

“They made really tough decisions by getting Jaeger O'Meara in and getting Tom Mitchell and moving a lot of the older players on and they’re in that situation again, so they’ll find a way to be competitive.”