The Form
The Hawks took a development approach to the NAB Challenge, getting game-time into young players and managing their premiership stars throughout their three games.
After a scratchy win against Carlton, the Hawks were hit with a big loss against the Tigers before rebounding against the Kangaroos in their final game, recording a much more convincing 45-point win.
The Cats’ pre-season form mirrored the Hawks in terms of wins and losses, however they fielded much more experienced line up’s during the NAB Challenge.
After a high-scoring loss to Collingwood, the Cats then promptly thumped the Bombers in Shepparton before a more closely contested game against the Dockers in Perth.
The form of Patrick Dangerfield was a major pre-season talking point, and the return of Joel Selwood will add to a midfield that already runs as deep as any in the competition.
Stats That Matter
In the eleven games that the Cats won in a row over the Hawks, they averaged 98.45 points per game.
Since the Hawks broke the drought in the 2013 preliminary final, they’ve averaged a noticeably less 81.3 points per game.
Alastair Clarkson will be hoping his team can again limit the output of Geelong’s dangerous forwards, as well as Patrick Dangerfield, who collected 82 disposals and kicked six goals across his three NAB Challenge outings.
Key Player
Jack Gunston’s performance against Geelong will be extremely important in covering the loss of Jarryd Roughead for the first time this season.
He’s had a good track record against the Cats in recent times, and Hawthorn fans will be hoping that this continues.
It’s A Big Week For…
Hawthorn's forwards.
With the absence of Jarryd Roughead, Easter Monday is the first time that we will see how the Hawks are going to cope without their star key forward in the season proper.
Who is going to kick the goals? Will we see a smaller, more dynamic forward line? It promises to be intriguing viewing.
Odd Fact
Sam Mitchell has played against Geelong more than any other club during his 285 career games to date.
Mitchell has suited up against the Cats 26 times thus far, which makes up just over 9% of the AFL games he has played.
Final Thoughts
With Geelong having added some serious depth to their side and the absence of Shiels, Hill and Roughead for the Hawks, it’s going to be a very entertaining game - just like every time the Hawks take on the Cats.
