Hawthorn are confident two things will happen inside their attacking 50 before too long.
One is the chemistry that has proved elusive at times this season will materialise and the other is that Jarryd Roughead will kick a big bag of goals.
Hopefully both will happen at the same time and preferably on Saturday night when the ninth-placed Hawks take on 10th-ranked GWS at Spotless Stadium.
Roughead’s lean patch in front of goal continued in the 53-point win over Gold Coast in Launceston at the weekend.
The full-forward has booted three goals across his past four matches in a modest tally of 19 for the season.
“I think he’s been really good over the last month … in the past he might have got frustrated, but he’s been really good for the group,” Hawks leading goalkicker Luke Breust said of his skipper.
“There have been a number of personnel changes (up forward) and he’s been instrumental in keeping us calm and not getting frustrated.
“He’s still been a strong contributor throughout the first part of this season … the goals are what everyone knows him for, but I’m sure he’ll kick a big bag (soon).”
Alastair Clarkson’s desire to add more polish inside 50 suffered a blow when silky-skilled veteran Shaun Burgoyne was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury on Tuesday.
Hawthorn notched their third win in a row in round 14 to remain in striking distance of the top eight, but still haven’t passed the 100-point mark in a game since round four.
It’s cause for some concern for Clarkson given his side – ranked third in the competition for inside 50s – is generating plenty of scoring opportunities without fully capitalising.
The injury-enforced absences of small forwards Paul Puopolo, Cyril Rioli and Burgoyne at different stages have certainly been a factor.
“The chemistry is still building,” Breust said.
“We’ve got a number of young guys kicking it inside 50 who have only played 10, 15, 20 games so they’ll continue to build that relationship with us as forwards and we’ll get to know more what the midfield is doing as well.
“We’ve trained it and done it to death in review meetings, but the chemistry will eventually come.”
Rioli remains on indefinite leave with his family in Darwin for personal reasons.