Hawks need more from Vickery in AFL: coach
Jun 9, 2017 - 7:19 AM Just months after reaching a major crossroads in his AFL career, Ty Vickery has arrived at another pivotal juncture after he was dropped by Hawthorn for Saturday's clash against Gold Coast.Vickery, in need of a fresh start, joined the Hawks as a free agent at the end of last season after 119 games with Richmond.
Since making the move, Vickery has been held goalless four times in six senior appearances and dropped twice.
Clarkson said the equation was a simple one for the 27-year-old.
"Take marks and kick goals," the coach replied when asked what Vickery needs to do to reclaim an AFL spot.
"He's a forward and he's kicked two goals in six games, so we need a better return.
"It is a tough, brutal competition and you need to bring close to your best in the role that you play.
"In the role that Ty has needed to play for us in terms of providing a target and kicking goals he's been unable to do it to the level that he or we would like.
"(But) it's not a case where he has to go back to Box Hill for six weeks before he demonstrates that he can play - he could be back in the side as soon as after the bye."
Clarkson made two changes for the clash against the Suns at the MCG, dropping Vickery and Dallas Willsmore and recalling Will Langford and Tim O'Brien.
Hawthorn are coming off a 51-point thumping by Port Adelaide, which saw them register just three points in a record-low first-half return.
The Hawks suffered the first of back-to-back 86-point thrashings when they played Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in round three.
Two-time Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett bounced back into top form in that clash with 36 possessions and two goals.
But Clarkson said it's dangerous for opposition teams to become too focused on the Suns superstar.
"Sometimes if you've got too much of a focus on one player it can affect the way that you balance your defence through the middle of the ground," Clarkson said.
"At various stages we'll need to take account of him but we're also mindful that we need to win the footy and try to make them defend as well."
The Hawks are 16th on the ladder with a 4-7 record heading into round 12, while the Suns are 15th with four wins and six losses.
Source: AAP
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