Hawks supporter Bryon Sweerts reviews the Bulldogs match and previews the coming matches.
Supporters and no doubt other football followers will be wondering what sort of impact Hawthorn will have in the finals come September.
With one round remaining in the home and away season, Hawthorn are poised to finish anywhere from 2nd to 6th on the AFL ladder.
With the second highest percentage compared to any other team in the competition, a win against Sydney at the SCG next week will almost certainly guarantee a top four finish and the vital double chance for the Hawks. Sydney should stay in the eight even if they lose, but they will be hoping to gain some much-needed momentum as they approach the finals.
Every match next week is loaded with excitement.
Collingwood hosts Adelaide at the Telstra Dome on Friday night. Adelaide must win to ensure they finish in the top eight. If Collingwood wins and Hawthorn loses, they could sneak a top four finish. Even if they lose, they will remain in 6th position.
Richmond plays St. Kilda at the MCG. If Richmond wins, they may be able to escape the dreaded bottom of the ladder finish. St. Kilda sitting outside the eight must win and hope that Adelaide loses to secure 8th position.
Essendon travels to Subiaco to take on West Coast. Essendon can still mathematically make the eight, but with their low percentage will be already looking ahead to 2008. West Coast are guaranteed of a top four finish and a win would challenge Port Adelaide for second position and a subsequent home final.
Brisbane takes on Geelong at the Gabba. Brisbane must win and hope that St Kilda and Adelaide loses. Geelong will be hoping to rebound after their loss to Port Adelaide and demonstrate why they are the minor premiers.
Port Adelaide meets Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night. Port Adelaide will be hoping they can hang on to 2nd position to ensure a home final, whilst Fremantle will be hoping they can win and rely on Adelaide, St Kilda and Brisbane losing to sneak into the eight.
Western Bulldogs confront the Kangaroos at the Telstra Dome. The Western Bulldogs are out of finals contention, but have pride to play for after their demoralising loss to Hawthorn. The Kangaroos will be hoping to come away with a win and counting on Hawthorn and Collingwood losing to seize an admirable top four finish.
Finally, Melbourne takes on Carlton. This could be the most enthralling game of them all. Considering that both teams are sitting on 4 wins and with the eventual winner sacrificing a priority draft pick, it should make out for an extremely interesting game of football. The loser could potentially take home the wooden spoon if Richmond were to win.
With a tremendous amount at stake for all the teams in the week leading up to the finals, it equates for a gripping round of football.
St Kilda should be too strong for Richmond and Collingwood with Buckley’s presence, should account for Adelaide on Friday night.
The only other change to the ladder could possibly be Port Adelaide relinquishing 2nd position to West Coast after they trounce Essendon at Subiaco. The final eight could end up being as follows:
Geelong
West Coast
Port Adelaide
Hawthorn
Kangaroos
Collingwood
Sydney
St Kilda
If Hawthorn defeats Sydney on Sunday and finishes 4th, they will have to take on Geelong at Skilled Stadium. What an opportunity this could be for the young and rising Hawks to measure themselves against the best side in the competition at present.
The Hawks have already accounted for the Cats once this season. Will they be able to do it again when it counts most?
As Hawthorn supporters, we look ahead with immense anticipation.
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and notnecessarily those of the Hawthorn Football Club. hawthornfc.com.auwould like to acknowledge the contribution of supporters to theOfficial Club website. If you would like to sign up to write forhawthornfc.com.au click here for more details.
* The Hawks raised $2,200 for HSBCkids after kicking 22 goals against Western Bulldogs.
Supporters and no doubt other football followers will be wondering what sort of impact Hawthorn will have in the finals come September.
With one round remaining in the home and away season, Hawthorn are poised to finish anywhere from 2nd to 6th on the AFL ladder.
With the second highest percentage compared to any other team in the competition, a win against Sydney at the SCG next week will almost certainly guarantee a top four finish and the vital double chance for the Hawks. Sydney should stay in the eight even if they lose, but they will be hoping to gain some much-needed momentum as they approach the finals.
Every match next week is loaded with excitement.
Collingwood hosts Adelaide at the Telstra Dome on Friday night. Adelaide must win to ensure they finish in the top eight. If Collingwood wins and Hawthorn loses, they could sneak a top four finish. Even if they lose, they will remain in 6th position.
Richmond plays St. Kilda at the MCG. If Richmond wins, they may be able to escape the dreaded bottom of the ladder finish. St. Kilda sitting outside the eight must win and hope that Adelaide loses to secure 8th position.
Essendon travels to Subiaco to take on West Coast. Essendon can still mathematically make the eight, but with their low percentage will be already looking ahead to 2008. West Coast are guaranteed of a top four finish and a win would challenge Port Adelaide for second position and a subsequent home final.
Brisbane takes on Geelong at the Gabba. Brisbane must win and hope that St Kilda and Adelaide loses. Geelong will be hoping to rebound after their loss to Port Adelaide and demonstrate why they are the minor premiers.
Port Adelaide meets Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night. Port Adelaide will be hoping they can hang on to 2nd position to ensure a home final, whilst Fremantle will be hoping they can win and rely on Adelaide, St Kilda and Brisbane losing to sneak into the eight.
Western Bulldogs confront the Kangaroos at the Telstra Dome. The Western Bulldogs are out of finals contention, but have pride to play for after their demoralising loss to Hawthorn. The Kangaroos will be hoping to come away with a win and counting on Hawthorn and Collingwood losing to seize an admirable top four finish.
Finally, Melbourne takes on Carlton. This could be the most enthralling game of them all. Considering that both teams are sitting on 4 wins and with the eventual winner sacrificing a priority draft pick, it should make out for an extremely interesting game of football. The loser could potentially take home the wooden spoon if Richmond were to win.
With a tremendous amount at stake for all the teams in the week leading up to the finals, it equates for a gripping round of football.
St Kilda should be too strong for Richmond and Collingwood with Buckley’s presence, should account for Adelaide on Friday night.
The only other change to the ladder could possibly be Port Adelaide relinquishing 2nd position to West Coast after they trounce Essendon at Subiaco. The final eight could end up being as follows:
Geelong
West Coast
Port Adelaide
Hawthorn
Kangaroos
Collingwood
Sydney
St Kilda
If Hawthorn defeats Sydney on Sunday and finishes 4th, they will have to take on Geelong at Skilled Stadium. What an opportunity this could be for the young and rising Hawks to measure themselves against the best side in the competition at present.
The Hawks have already accounted for the Cats once this season. Will they be able to do it again when it counts most?
As Hawthorn supporters, we look ahead with immense anticipation.
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and notnecessarily those of the Hawthorn Football Club. hawthornfc.com.auwould like to acknowledge the contribution of supporters to theOfficial Club website. If you would like to sign up to write forhawthornfc.com.au click here for more details.
* The Hawks raised $2,200 for HSBCkids after kicking 22 goals against Western Bulldogs.
