Facing the prospect of starting the new season without the services of three suspended senior players, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has admitted to being worried about the report of a fourth, All-Australian defender Campbell Brown.
Brown was booked in the final quarter of Saturday night's NAB Cup quarter-final against Carlton for a heavy charge with his shoulder into the back of star Blues recruit Matthew Kreuzer.
The Hawks have already ruled a line through vice-captain Luke Hodge, midfielder Jordan Lewis and veteran Shane Crawford for the round one clash with Melbourne because of suspensions carried over from last season.
To lose another through ill-discipline is not what the Hawks need, their excellent NAB Cup form notwithstanding.
"It’s always a danger when you're playing NAB Cup games but you've got to put yourself in competitive environments, you can't just got into the season opener with no pre-season practice games," Clarkson said.
"You're exposed to the elements; you put 26 competitive beasts out there against the opposition and from time to time you're going to cross that fine white line.
"We'll see what the outcome is through the course of the week.
"It’s a little bit of a downer but the judiciary will work it out, I'm sure."
Brown wasn't the only Hawk to have his number taken against the Blues. Youngster Josh Kennedy was reported for high contact on Marc Murphy, while Lance Franklin and Carlton's Kade Simpson were reported for wrestling each other.
On a positive note, Clarkson was delighted that his team's fast start allowed him the luxury of resting many of his senior players in the second half against the Blues.
Clarkson was especially pleased with Travis Tuck who picked up 21 possessions on the night, and happy to get valuable game-time into rookie Cameron Stokes, Cyril Rioli, Brent Renouf, Xavier Ellis, Beau Muston, Tom Murphy and Zac Dawson.
"At one stage during the last quarter our normal starting six wasn't on the ground and that's outstanding for some of those young guys to get that exposure at the back end.
"For Dawson to play on Fevola for the course of the night … Dawson hung in there and did a pretty good job."
"The experience that those lads get playing on some class players throughout the course of the whole game is really beneficial for them long term."