COMETH the moment, cometh 'The Chad'.

Hawthorn fans waited 172 days, a calf injury then a setback, and until three rounds into the season from the moment Chad Wingard officially became a Hawk to his brown and gold debut on Sunday.

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There was even the drama of a training collision with Jarryd Roughead on game eve that forced the former skipper out as a late withdrawal with a corked thigh.

The former Port Adelaide star's opening act for Hawthorn threatened to be a fizzer, but quickly became a Wingard special in a final-term frenzy.

Wingard finished with three goals and a modest 10 disposals, after having only five to three-quarter time, but his Cyril Rioli-like impact when required was strikingly familiar to his new fanbase.

The best of those moments was when he burst through the slightest of gaps in North Melbourne's defence, fended off Ben Cunnington, then snapped a magnificent left-foot goal.

Equally impressive, if not quite as show-stopping, was the way Wingard hounded Robbie Tarrant into a turnover after almost hanging on to a difficult overhead mark seconds earlier.

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Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson wasn't shy in letting everyone know during the pre-season that Wingard was recruited to fill the Rioli role.

The 25-year-old himself is reluctant to be considered Cyril Rioli 2.0 – he even contacted Rioli after being traded to Hawthorn to try to convince him to make a comeback – but his words fit the narrative.

"It doesn't matter about stats and all those analytics people look at. It's about impacting the game," Wingard told AFL.com.au.

"I think that if I'm at my best, I can impact the game in many ways – not just by touches but in getting the crowd involved and making my teammates better."

Pandemonium breaks out whenever any dual All Australian switches clubs, and Wingard's situation was no different.

There was scepticism among the Hawks faithful when they had to give up promising young player Ryan Burton as part of the deal, but Sunday's game suggests Wingard has quickly won them over.

His dribbling attempt at goal at the start of the fourth quarter, which ultimately struck the post, came at the Hawthorn cheer squad end and the fans were roaring and on their feet.

Wingard felt that warmth and spoke of his appreciation at simply being part of the club after helping engineer the Hawks' come-from-behind victory.

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He said he felt "at home" almost as soon as he arrived, from the board showing faith in him to the players embracing him on their Kokoda Track experience, to the leadership group and Clarkson's welcome.

"Off-field, I think I just needed to refresh my mind and I needed a new challenge," he said.

"I think I got a little bit too comfortable at Port Adelaide. It was the same routine and not making finals became tough on me, because I want to play in those games.

"Obviously, the boys are playing some really good footy over there, but, for me personally, I'm much happier off the field. On the field, I feel like I'm rejuvenated.

"I've got that belief in me again – and Hawthorn have instilled that in me. I didn't quite feel that (previously)."

Wingard showed he had lost none of his high-flying ways. Picture: AFL Photos





That's not to say there wasn't some serious rust to work through at the weekend.

As Wingard was eager to point out, he hadn't played even an internal scratch match since his last Power appearance in round 23 last year.

A calf injury in late January interrupted what was headed towards being a strong summer and a subsequent setback meant he wasn't ready for round one.

Wingard's first kick of the day went straight to Roos ruckman Todd Goldstein, then he gave away a 50m penalty – the umpire was, perhaps, a bit harsh – that gifted Trent Dumont a goal.

At the same time, North had taken Hawthorn by surprise with their game of keepings-off that saw them establish a 19-point quarter-time break – and it probably should have been greater.

Slowly the game began to turn and Wingard, after a strong grab, kicked his maiden goal in his new colours.

The next hint at his talents came early in the second half, when he won a 50-50 contest with Roos hardman Scott Thompson, then banged a long kick into Conor Nash's path for a simple goal.

Wingard is never short on confidence and his past deeds ensure that, but he was officially away as a Hawk by that stage.

"It was a tough day early and I was a bit fumbly, but … I knew it'd take me a while to get my hands right," he said.

"It all just came together in that last quarter and I love those moments when the game's on the line and just to be a part of that win was pretty unreal."

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