The Hawthorn Football Club seem to have finally pulled together a team capable of winning a premiership.

The win over Sydney should give the Hawks the confidence they can now match it with the top teams on the big stage.

They’re no certainties though. Hawthorn need to show that what they’ve done during the regular season can transfer to the finals.

Teams that have been there before will tell you that finals have a ‘finals-like atmosphere’ that can often overwhelm a club not used to the pressure of September football.

Another big question mark still hovers over the Hawks, contested possessions, the most important stat in football.

I have long argued that contested possessions are even more important than the score.

The Hawks underperform in this stat and Alastair Clarkson will need to fix it if he ever wants to know what it’s like to hoist the Premiership cup.

Whether they get there or not this year, the Hawks are on the right track and it’s great to see another team challenge for the ultimate prize.

Titus O’Reily is doing a live show 2^nd September at Yarraville Laughs. Tickets on sale now at http://www.yarravillelaughs.com/gig/titus-oreily