Hawthorn's premiership side is sore and croaky and missing its recovery routine.
Four days after claiming AFL glory the brown and gold brigade jetted to the team's second home, Tasmania, on Wednesday to share their grand final joy.
And while the players' beaming smiles were matched only by the shiny premiership cup, veteran Hawk Sam Mitchell admitted the celebrations had taken a toll.
"We haven't done any recovery and obviously having a few beers doesn't help," a weary Mitchell told reporters in Hobart during a fleeting three-hour visit.
After a typical round players would spend at least two days following a stringent recovery regime but Saturday's emphatic win over Sydney has meant celebrations have taken priority.
"We wouldn't be able to play footy, even (be) close to playing footy with how I feel at the moment," Mitchell laughed.
Crowd favourite Matt Spangher battled to chat with fans, suffering from a audibly strained voice and when fellow player Bradley Hill took to the stage to address hundreds of fans, his mouth opened but no words came out.
"There are a few croaky voices, that's still from the game I think," a smirking Mitchell said.
As part of a sponsorship deal with the Tasmanian government dating back to 2001 the Hawks have been playing home games at Launceston's Aurora Stadium, formerly York Park.
It's a strong bond that Tasmanian and Hawks defender Grant Birchall hopes will continue.
"I love coming back down here and playing in front of friends and family," he said.
The sentiment was echoed by Mitchell.
"From a purely competitive point of view we get to play four games on a very comfortable home ground," he said.
On Wednesday players split their time between Hobart and Launceston and attended events where they met footy juniors, Tasmanian athletes soon to compete at the Special Olympics Australia National Games and cancer patients.
Fans dressed in club colours turned out in their hundreds at pubic events in both cities and welcomed players on stage by singing the Hawthorn anthem.
Fans wanted to know if the Hawks will be back in Tassie at the end of next season with a 2015 premiership cup.
Coach Alastair Clarkson wasn't getting too far ahead.
"Grand finals are so hard to get to so our focus is to start again ... aim for the top-four and when we get to September we will reassess," Clarkson said.
Share
