Are James Frawley, Ben McEvoy and Ben Stratton key to Hawthorn's defensive fortunes in 2020? Picture: AFL Photos

BLAKE Hardwick's untimely injury on the eve of the season not only robbed Hawthorn of a dependable servant but further shrouded in mystery the club's defensive structure.

Hardwick will spend the next three months on the sidelines with a ruptured pectoral muscle after a heavy collision in Friday's scratch match against the Saints.

BODY BLOW Important defender sidelined for 12 weeks

The 23-year-old joins on the sidelines dashing defender Jarman Impey, who isn't scheduled to be back from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture until the second half of this year.

Hardwick might not be a household name but is highly valued internally, backing up his runner-up finish in Hawthorn's best and fairest award in 2018 with another top-five placing last year.

Yet even with Hardwick and Impey out, there is a premium on defensive spots in coach Alastair Clarkson's team.

The Hawks' wish to increase their options down back saw them trade for wantaway Demon Sam Frost and sign ex-Bomber Michael Hartley as a delisted free agent in the off-season.

Share label.close Share This Video Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Copy link Link copied to clipboard Serious Hawk blow as Impey carried off Jarman Impey is brought off the field after appearing to injure his knee in a strong marking contest

That followed them redeploying No.1 ruckman Ben McEvoy as a key defender in the final two rounds of last year.

Throw in All-Australian full-back James Frawley, captain Ben Stratton, the versatile James Sicily and young gun Jack Scrimshaw, who was recruited from Gold Coast ahead of last season.

PRE-SEASON FIXTURE Check out your team's Marsh Community Series games

Hawthorn also handed Changkuoth Jiath – better known as 'CJ' – his senior debut in round 21 last year, and has tall swingmen Jacob Koschitzke and Emerson Jeka waiting in the wings.

Changkuoth Jiath gets a handball away in his debut game last year. Picture: AFL Photos

Tim O'Brien, who spent much of the last two years in defence, is now part of the Hawks' towering forward line, alongside Jon Patton and Mitch Lewis, while Grant Birchall signed with Brisbane.

"What we're trying to work on is having depth of position," Clarkson told AFL.com.au.

"It's a bit like the NFL terminology, in terms of having the depth chart … when the No.1 running back can't play for whatever reason, then you go to your No.2 and if he's injured, you go to No.3.

'HE'LL NEVER TRAIN LIKE HE USED TO' Scully to follow 'Silk' blueprint

"We want to have a depth chart that's usually based on experience being the higher rated but certainly talent (as well), and just having young guys that are learning and being nurtured by the older ones in the group.

"The stronger clubs in the competition – the West Coasts, Richmonds, Collingwoods and Geelongs – have got good strength of depth."

Versatile Hawk James Sicily looms as one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Picture: AFL Photos

There's already been some concern about how Hawthorn will fare against smaller forwards sans Hardwick.

The Hawks face a baptism of fire in the opening month against Brisbane (Charlie Cameron and Linc McCarthy), Fremantle (Michael Walters, Lachie Schultz and Sam Switkowski), Collingwood (Jamie Elliott and Josh Thomas) and Geelong (Gary Ablett, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers and Luke Dahlhaus).

However, what's being overlooked is it was Stratton rather than Hardwick tasked with most of those jobs last season.

Listen to the AFL Fantasy Podcast with The Traders at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Among Stratton's opponents in 2019 were Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett, Toby Greene, Cameron (twice), Orazio Fantasia, Rohan, Alex Sexton and Liam Ryan – and he never conceded more than two goals.

Frost's arrival is helpful, given he can switch between talls and smalls, including match-ups with Rohan, Walters and Elliott last year where he coughed up a combined three majors.

Clarkson is also comfortable with Sicily and even Frawley, because of his speed off the mark, manning those types of forwards.

Blake Hardwick ruptured his pectoral muscle in a scratch match against the Saints. Picture: AFL Photos

"Some smaller guys hate playing on bigger guys, because in terms of body strength, the ball gets to ground level and as long as they've got the speed and agility, then it's difficult for a smaller forward to play on them," Clarkson said.

"Just having that versatility is important with the way we play our defence."

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Stratton was "a lock" in Clarkson's defence even before Hardwick went down, and Sicily, Frawley, Frost and McEvoy are as good as certain to be there as well.

Hardwick's extended absence means someone else will get an opportunity.

Share label.close Share This Video Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Copy link Link copied to clipboard The Traders' Fantasy Draft day Roy, Calvin and Warnie participate in their annual Bacon Cup Fantasy Draft league

Scrimshaw has overcome the groin injury that restricted him in the pre-season and his intercept marking is ideal for the modern game.

If it is Scrimshaw, what Clarkson and co. must decide is whether they are comfortable with a back six where none of them is shorter than 189cm.

LIST RATINGS Roos' shock rise, Dogs tipped to shine

The other options are the exciting Jiath (185cm), Harry Morrison (180cm), first-round draft pick Will Day (189cm) or possibly rookie Damon Greaves (186cm).

Jiath, who was born in an Ethiopian refugee camp to South Sudanese parents, appears to be the frontrunner.

Dan Howe (191cm) would have been in this mix but a lingering foot injury has him out indefinitely.