HAWTHORN
Season to date:
The Hawks have been the surprise packet of2007, with a 7-3 record helping them to third on the AFL ladder. Their formlinereads as well as the Melbourne Cup favourite, with impressive recent wins overWest Coast and Port Adelaide showing this Hawthorn outfit is no flash in thepan. While many outsiders are waiting for the Hawks to stumble, this team looksthe real deal.
Recent form (Last five rounds):
Round 6 – Essendon 15.6 (96) lost toHawthorn 20.11 (131)
Round 7 – Fremantle 14.12 (96) def Hawthorn11.14 (80)
Round 8 – Hawthorn 10.12 (72) def St Kilda 6.8 (44)
Round 9 – Hawthorn 15.9 (99) def West Coast8.16 (64)
Round 10 – Port Adelaide 10.15 (75) lost to Hawthorn 17.7 (109)
Last time:
Round 9, 2006, Sydney 19.5 (119) def Hawthorn 7.12 (54),MCG. The Swans were far too good in thisSaturday night clash under lights at the home of footy, with their abundance ofscoring options proving the difference. Adam Goodes was dominant on the nightand he picked up three Brownlow votes, while Tadhg Kennelly and Brett Kirk alsostarred.
The venue:
The Swans have lifted for big games here inrecent years, and they will no doubt enjoy coming back to the MCG – the sceneof some of their favourite memories from past seasons. The Hawks have playedsome pretty good footy there too this year. Both sides boast vocal supportbases, so a packed, colourful MCG should make for a cracking atmosphere come2pm Saturday afternoon.
The coach:
His side has struggled for the past coupleof seasons and, accordingly, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson was in the hot seatfor much of that time. Suddenly, his young side has come of age and people arelauding the passionate mentor for the way he has groomed his charges into oneof the competition’s hottest teams. Clarkson encourages his team to beaccountable, but to also attack when they have the footy as Hawthorn does havethe arsenal to score quickly.
Strengths:
A team doesn’t sit third on the table withouthaving plenty of depth, and coach Clarkson has a young team playing not onlywith plenty of skill, but plenty of enthusiasm and confidence. The Hawks are honest,and can rely on an even contribution each week. While possessing big-name starsLuke Hodge, Shane Crawford, Sam Mitchell and the unpredictable Lance Franklin,the Hawks’ lesser-known players have been a reason for their team’s 2007 resurgence.
Missing in action:
Trent Croad (foot) and Rick Ladson (back) willboth face fitness tests this week while the Hawks’ other injury concerns remainlong-term prospects. Skipper Richie Vandenberg injured his shoulder lastweekend in the VFL and is six weeks away, while Ben Dixon (hamstring), TimClarke (achilles) and Mark Williams won’t resume until the second half of theyear.
The key player:
Sam Mitchell
Much has been written of Mitchell’s abilityat the stoppages, but this is also an area where the Swans pride themselves.Shutting Mitchell down would equate to a huge win for the visitors, as it wouldnegate much of the Hawks’ run. Mitchell sets up so much of his team’s attackfrom his clever work around the packs, so John Longmire and the Swans’ midfieldgroup will be spending plenty of time on the creative Hawthorn champ.
Swans’ inside word:
Peter Everitt and Luke Brennan
One man who’ll know better than anyone justhow Mitchell operates is the man who used to make him look good. Well, onecould almost be certain that’s what Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt would tell you. Butjokes aside, Everitt and Mitchell – when on the park together at the Hawks –formed a lethal combination. Spida should know Mitchell and many of his Hawks teammates’moves well, as will fellow former Hawk and now Swans rookie Luke Brennan.
Key match-ups:
LanceFranklin v Craig Bolton
Sam Mitchellv Brett Kirk
SimonTaylor/Robert Campbell v Peter Everitt/Darren Jolly
The reaction:
A lot ofattention has centred on Jason Akermanis’s return to the Gabba this weekend butanother favourite son will return on Saturday. Just how fans – and, more interestingly,Hawthorn players – treat Peter Everitt will be known very early on at the MCG.Hawk fans are sure to let Spida know his decision to leave the club wasn’t wellreceived, and the big ruckman will be determined to impress in his new colours.
The views in this story are those of theauthor and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
