Hawthorn’s preparations for their elimination final against GWS have already turned fiery, with Dylan Moore revealing he clashed with teammate Josh Ward at training last weekend.
The Hawks forward laughed off the incident, but admitted he “decked” Ward in a moment of frustration during a match simulation on Saturday.
The dust-up, he suggested, was fuelled by the AFL’s pre-finals bye, which left players itching for competitive action.
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‘I decked him … but all in good fun’
“I’m pretty happy now, but on Saturday we got out here and there were a few punch-ons, because we wanted to be playing footy,” Moore told reporters. “I was a bit angry on Saturday, I decked him (Ward) and he went back at me, but all in good fun.
“They (GWS) have a lot of physical guys and a lot of talent that probably fires off that, and we do too. I hope it’s a fiery clash.”
Moore believes the week off has freshened the Hawks, who endured a demanding final stretch of the home-and-away season. He also talked up the potential influence of defender Josh Weddle, back from a back complaint, and praised Jack Ginnivan’s resurgence, calling him “just about the best half-forward in the comp.”
Hawthorn will travel to Engie Stadium to face the Giants on Saturday, with Moore confident his side’s best football can match anyone.