HAWTHORN will be out to claim its fifth consecutive win when it takes on Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night.
It’s a big match for both top-four aspirants.
The Hawks currently sit in fourth place on the AFL ladder, but level on points with the fifth-placed Magpies.
A win for either side would move them a game clear inside the top four.
The form
Hawthorn – WWW (most recent first)
The Hawks will enter the match full of confidence, on the back of four consecutive wins.
Those wins have come against Gold Coast Suns, St Kilda, Adelaide Crows and Essendon, with an average winning margin of almost 46 points.
Collingwood - LWW
The Magpies have won four of their past five matches, with their most recent clash a narrow loss to ladder-leader Fremantle on the Dockers’ home turf.
However, while the Magpies lost to the Dockers, it was a match that proved they are a force to be reckoned with in 2015.
Recent history
The Hawks have had the wood (pun intended) over the Magpies in recent years, winning the past seven matches between the clubs.
All seven of those wins have been by 22 points or more, with the clubs’ most recent meeting – in Round 23 last year – ending in a 65-point win for the Hawks.
Ins and outs
Hawthorn
The Hawks will need to make at least two changes to the side that defeated Essendon in Round 13.
Key defender James Frawley (shoulder) and Jarryd Roughead (illness)will both miss, while coach Alastair Clarkson has confirmed Cyril Rioli will definitely return.
If the Hawks are looking to add height to their line-up, there are a number of players putting their hands up in the VFL.
Premiership defender Matt Spangher could be in line for his first AFL match this season, while Ben McEvoy will also be in contention.
Swingman Ryan Schoenmakers, defender Angus Litherland and forwards Tim O’Brien and James Sicily could also be potential inclusions.
Collingwood
Tyson Goldsack (knee) is the big out for the Magpies, but they also have a number of players in line for senior selection.
Ruckman Brodie Grundy looks set to return from a neck injury, while youngsters Darcy Moore, Jonathan Marsh and Matt Scharenberg could be a chance to debut.
Strong VFL form could have Sam Dwyer and Patrick Karnezis in the frame for senior recalls, however Ben Reid will be unavailable due to a corked calf.
Key players
Hawthorn
With Jarryd Roughead and James Frawley out, the Hawks remaining key pillars in attack and defence will be even more important.
Brian Lake is expected to mark Magpies forward Travis Cloke, while Josh Gibson – who stood up when Frawley was subbed out against the Bombers – may be required to mark a tall forward such as Jesse White.
David Hale’s ability to mark and make contests inside the forward 50 will also be important.
The Magpies will need to keep an eye on Sam Mitchell – who continues to find the footy with ease.
He collected another 33 disposals against the Bombers last week, his seventh 30-plus possession game in eight matches.
Collingwood
The Magpies most important player is undoubtedly their skipper, Scott Pendlebury.
The star midfielder has had an excellent season to date, averaging 27.7 disposals per game.
He’s found plenty of support from the likes of Dane Swan and first-year Magpie Jack Crisp, who have also been collecting plenty of disposals.
Up forward, Travis Cloke has kicked 12 goals in his past three matches, while livewire Jamie Elliott has kicked 14 in his past four.
Important factors
Having an impact up forward
Hawthorn and Collingwood are the competition’s leading teams for marks inside 50.
The Hawks go inside 50 more than any other team in the competition and average 14.6 marks inside 50 per game, with the Magpies average at 14.2.
Both sides have a number of key targets up forward – the likes of Jack Gunston and David Hale will be important for the Hawks, while Magpies Travis Cloke and Jamie Elliott are well-known for their strength in the air.
Accuracy in front of goal will be a key factor – it’s an area the Magpies lead the competition in (56.1%), while the Hawks sit in eighth place (50.8%).
Controlling the clearances
The Hawks will have reviewed their clearance work this week, after Essendon went into half-time leading the centre clearances 7-0 last week.
However, the Hawks rank fourth in the competition for clearances, averaging 42.1 per game, compared to the eighth-ranked Magpies 39.6.
The midfield battle looms as a crucial one – and it will be interesting to see the likes of Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis face off against Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Dane Swan.
Getting on top early
The Magpies have been good starters in 2015, leading at quarter-time in eight of their 12 matches this season.
Getting on top will be crucial for the Hawks, but if anything, their form guide this season suggests they keep getting better as the game goes on.
A seven-goal-to-two third term against the Bombers turned that game in Hawthorn’s favour, as did a four-goal-to-one final term against the Crows the week before.
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