FORthe majority of our games this year we have been in winning positions, but forone reason or another, whether being overrun or losing concentration, we havebeen beaten.
Lastweek against Port Adelaide it was a good example to the boys that if you keepyour heads down for the full four quarters you’re capable of beating anyone.
Our backs:
Overthe last couple of weeks when we have won games, the midfielders have got backdeep in defence and really supported the guys whether it is at ground level orrunning the ball out.
Ifyou have a look at the stats I think the midfielders have won at least half oftheir possessions inside our defensive 50, which is great to see.
JasonSaddington has been rock solid since he has come back and has been a greatsuccess story. Also, Gibbsy (Bryce Gibbs) has given us some poise and controlbeyond his years.
Their forwards:
Hawthornkeep their forward line very open and over the last few weeks ‘Buddy Franklin has been in greatform and kicking goals, quite easily actually.
Whoeveris on him will have to be very athletic and able to run and cover the ground.
BenMcGlynn and Shane Crawford are two other players we will have to look out for.
Theylike to play at half forward and push up into the midfield and create a lot ofinside 50s for Hawthorn.
Centreline battle:
Sofar this year our clearances have been really positive, so we will need tocontinue that against the Hawks.
We’llbe planning an appropriate match up for Sam Mitchell who is the ‘clearanceking’ and obviously needs to be watched closely.
JordanLewis, Crawford and, to a degree, Chance Bateman are also important for theHawks in this area as they like to get back in defence and help out.
Ourboys, Kade Simpson, Andrew Carrazzo, Adam Bentick and Heath Scotland will have their work cutout.
However,they have also been in good form, so it is going to be a good contest.
The ruck duel:
Oneplus for us heading into the game on Friday is the form of Cain Ackland. He isreally starting to play some good footy.
Heneeds to be aggressive against the Hawks like he was against Port last weekend.
He’llbe up against Robby Campbell and Simon Taylor who are both young ruckman thatCain will hopefully be able to dictate terms to a little. Setanta O’hAilpin has been helping out thereand giving us something different. It will be a good duel between all thoseboys.
Our forwards:
‘Fev’has been quiet over the last few weeks, yet we kicked 20 goals, so look outwhen Brendan kicks his bag.
JarradWaite’s form has been good, as has that of Brad Fisher and Simon Wiggins, whohave really added to the team.
Theyhave been great in the air and have good pace and ground-level skill, which isfantastic.
Wemiss Eddie Betts but you throw in Matty Lappin, who has been kicking goals aswell, and it is a very potent and experienced forward line.
Their backs:
Theirdefenders are very hard running. They get a lot of support from their midfieldand that’s where most of their run comes from.
TrentCroad, if he plays, is a very athletic type, Danny Jacobs will take thestay-at-home roll and Campbell Brown works well in traffic and may take onWaite, even though he will be about 15cm shorter.
Final thoughts:
Ithink you will see two young teams ready go at it head to head.
Hawthornwill try and restrict our run and ball movement but we will try and continuewith our game style and focus on what we have been good at.
The views in this story are those of theauthor and not necessarily those of the club or the AFL.
