SUMMARY
The football world has had to wait eight rounds for the Grand Final rematch, but it could hardly have come at a more appealing juncture. After crushing Melbourne, the Hawks need to get their up-and-down season on track by winning consecutive games for the first time. The reigning premiers should be boosted by the return of Jordan Lewis, Isaac Smith and, perhaps most importantly, Brian Lake to tackle one of the Lance Franklin or Kurt Tippett. The Swans have run into a solid patch of form with consecutive wins and it will be fascinating to see how they respond to their 63-point loss in last year's season-decider.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, May 23, 7.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
GF, 2014, Hawthorn 21.11 (137) d Sydney Swans 11.8 (74) at the MCG
R18, 2014, Hawthorn 15.14 (104) d Sydney Swans 13.16 (94) at the MCG
R8, 2014, Sydney Swans 15.17 (107) d Hawthorn 13.10 (88) at ANZ Stadium
2QF, 2013, Hawthorn 15.15 (105) d Sydney Swans 7.9 (51) at the MCG
R23, 2013, Hawthorn 17.10 (112) d Sydney Swans 16.4 (100) at ANZ Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Swans' midfielders, in particular, will be desperate to atone for last year's dismal Grand Final performance, when their team was smashed 442-298 in disposals. Hawks stars Luke Hodge, Jordan Lewis and Sam Mitchell dominated with a combined 105 touches.
2. Hawthorn is ranked No.1 for marks inside 50, averaging 15.9 per game this season. Despite the Swans' potent tall timber they only average 10.4 (ranked 12th in the AFL).
3. The Swans will have to find a way to stop Hawthorn's scoring machine if they are to cause an upset. The Hawks average a league-best 114 points per game, compared to the Swans' 88.
4. Both teams have found plenty of the ball this season and are ranked top-two in disposals, with the Hawks collecting 402 possessions per game and the Swans 390.
5. Heavily in Hawthorn's favour is its 10-5 record against the Swans at the MCG. The Hawks have won 19 of their past 21 games at the venue.
6. After a quiet start to the season, Hawks spearhead Jarryd Roughead has climbed six places and back into to the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Ratings after his 30-disposal, 10-mark and four-goal haul against Melbourne.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Dan Hannebery. He was no lone soldier in a midfield that had its collective colours lowered in the Grand Final, but the proud 24-year-old will be determined to erase some of the pain from that game. Hannebery was targeted by the Hawks with a physical barrage and had little impact with his 20 disposals. Has bounced back early this year and is averaging 30 possessions per game.
PREDICTION: Hawthorn by 13 points
