MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 02: James Sicily of the Hawks and Taylor Garner of the Kangaroos wrestle during the round 20 AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium on August 02, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes believes Hawthorn fans should have much to worry about ahead of the 2021 season, with the Hawks looking to improve on their 15th placed finish from last season.

The last time the men in the brown and gold sat at 15th to end their year was 2004, with the club winning four premierships and competing in 10 finals series since then.

Now, with the club facing a rebuild, Cornes believes there is a mountain the Hawks will have to overcome this year.

“I’d love to be a Hawthorn fan, absolutely spoilt for choice with what they’ve had in the last 10 years, but for 2021 I would not want to be a Hawthorn fan,” he told SEN’s The Captain’s Run.

“I think it’s going to be a really challenging year, in fact, if the over or under for wins for Hawthorn was seven, I’d probably take the under.

“I just don’t know who’s going to kick the goals. (Jack) Gunston was their leading goal scorer last year with 31, he’s injured and can just tick the legs over on a stationary bike at the moment.

“Tom Mitchell, the Brownlow Medallist, is in doubt for Round 1. It’s not going to really affect on-field performance straight sway, but Graham Wright leaving is another distraction, particularly the timing of it.

“You’ve got Jonathon Patton and the embarrassing situation that the club finds itself in and they just don’t have enough young talent coming through on their list.

“The team that I’m most concerned about ahead of the 2021 season is the Hawthorn Football Club.”

Hawthorn ended last season with five wins from 17 matches and will face Essendon to start their 2021 campaign.