Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell likes what he sees on paper but is wary of the reality that lies ahead in the AFL premiership race.
The Hawks (8-4-1) head to their mid-season bye third on the ladder despite a nail-biting six-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.
And with Jack Gunston, Tom Barrass and Conor Nash all set to return after the break, they're set up for a charge towards September.
"There's paper and there's reality, isn't there? On paper, we're in a good position," Mitchell said after his side's 12.5 (77) to 9.17 (71) loss at the MCG.
"We're going to get to the bye in the top four and we're going to have a pretty skinny injury list on the other side,
