Hawthorn's prize recruit Brian Lake believes his first full preseason in three years and a quality environment could help him regain the form that twice made him the AFL All-Australian full-back.
An All-Australian with the Western Bulldogs in 2009 and 2010, the 30-year-old hasn't come near to that form since.
But Lake, snaffled by the Hawks on Monday's opening day of the trade period, says that downturn was more about injuries and a slump in the Dogs' fortunes than any drop in his own ability.
"It's a lot easier to be playing good football when the guys around you are playing good football as well," Lake said.
"As a side in 2008-09-10 we were a reasonably good backline and side at that stage.
"To play good football in a good side's a lot easier and that's the thrill of coming here.
"I'm coming into a side that's made a grand final so there's some good players around me."
Lake had a horror 2011 season, hampered by hip, knee and shoulder surgery, with another operation ahead of the 2012 season again affecting his preparation.
Finally injury-free entering a pre-season, he expects to reap the benefits, aiming to play every game and to outlast his two-year contract.
"I'm very confident about my body," he said.
"I've got a contract for two years but I can see myself playing a lot longer than that."
He said the lure of a potential premiership, after playing in preliminary final losses with the Dogs in 2008-09-10, was a huge attraction.
"To be playing that grand final day, I went this year to the game and just the atmosphere and the build-up to it, you just want to be part of it," Lake said.
"That's what I'm most excited about."
The Hawks are also excited about Lake's potential to help them go a step further than this year's grand final defeat, with a defender capable of countering the opposition's big forwards having been their one obvious weakness.
"We just need a bigger stronger brute that can handle some of those big lads, so hopefully Brian will be able to help us out in that regard," Alastair Clarkson said, adding that Hawthorn has chased Lake for three years.
Clarkson said while the deal benefited the rebuilding Dogs longer term through the draft, the Hawks had wanted a short-term fix.
"We think our opportunity is in the next three to four years and we're hoping that Brian can really help us in that regard," Clarkson said.
AAP
Tags: australian-football-league, sport, hawthorn-3122, vic First posted October 09, 2012 14:25:20