It’s a super edition of ‘Five to watch’ this week as we gear up for Round 1. Today, we’re detailing 10 players you need to keep your eye on when the Hawks meet the Pies on Saturday night.
Read: Match preview - Hawthorn v Collingwood
Cyril Rioli
He’s back! After a summer shrouded in mystery as to his availability for the start of the season, Cyril has been confirmed ready to go. Having not played since Round 8 last year, Rioli’s return only heightens the sense of anticipation that Hawks fans hold for Round 1. The four-time premiership hero will look to quickly recapture the form that saw him selected into the All Australian sides of 2015 and 2016.
Tom Mitchell
Over the past four occasions that Tom Mitchell has run out against Collingwood, he has accumulated 156 possessions, 31 tackles, six goals and 11 Brownlow votes. That’s correct, over his previous four match-ups against the Pies, Mitchell has not been awarded best on ground by the umpires only once, when he was instead given second best afield! It is an incredible record shared by few others. The 24-year old is coming off a year in which he won All Australian honours, won the Peter Crimmins Medal and averaged 35.8 disposals per game but there is no reason why he can’t go to another level again in 2018. The statisticians are at the ready.
Jarman Impey
Crossing over from Port Adelaide in last year’s Trade Period, Jarman Impey wasted no time in making a strong impression on his new club. Over two outings in the JLT Series, the 22-year old exhibited the speed and versatility that had Hawks fans licking their lips as soon as the club announced they had reached a trade agreement with the Power in October. Impey now gets his chance on the biggest stage, the MCG, on a Saturday night, against Collingwood, to truly acquaint himself with his new brown and gold family.
Ben Stratton
After not playing another game after Round 8 last year, Ben Stratton was one player the Hawks sorely missed in 2017 as a knee injury struck down the 29-year old. The lockdown defender, one of the most valued players within the four walls of the football club, was forced to watch on from the sidelines. In his absence, the likes of James Sicily, Ryan Burton and Blake Hardwick excelled. Now, Stratton returns to complement this promising, young defensive brigade that can only be aided by the return of the three-time premiership star.
James Frawley
James Frawley was another missing ingredient to the Hawks back six in 2017. Like Stratton, Frawley played each of the first eight games of the year before being struck down in a disastrous Round 8 date with the Brisbane Lions. Frawley enters this year very much a senior citizen of the Hawks defensive line. The days of Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson leading the defenders are now gone and it is players like ‘Chip’ who will lead the Hawks into their next chapter.
Jaeger O’Meara
Hawthorn fans are becoming increasingly aware of the abilities of Jaeger O’Meara. They’re also becoming increasingly excited by the signs of a fully-fit O’Meara doing as he pleases across the plains of the MCG. Since finishing off last year with a 25-possession, 11-tackle performance in the side’s win over the Western Bulldogs in Round 23, O’Meara has continued to thrive with a stand-out summer now under his belt. A promising JLT Series and a lack of strapping anywhere near that troublesome knee, O’Meara is undoubtedly one to watch this Saturday night.
Sam Murray
Sam Murray virtually booked himself a senior debut after he was a stand-out performer in the Pies’ JLT Series win over the Western Bulldogs. Murray, who spent two years on the Sydney Swans rookie list before being traded to Collingwood, gathered 24 possessions, nine marks, seven rebound 50s and five inside 50s. The 20-year old is a dangerous half-back flanker, who possesses a lethal left foot kick to go with his lightning pace. The Magpie Army will be hoping for a strong performance when Murray runs out onto the MCG for the first time this Saturday night.
Brodie Grundy
Brodie Grundy is already among the top handful of ruckmen in the league. With an enormous physical presence, Grundy will be hoping to take his game to another level again in 2018 as he enters his prime years. The 23-year old had two tight tussles against Hawks ruckman Ben McEvoy in 2017, with the big Pie potentially edging out McEvoy’s efforts due to his superior work around the ground (Grundy averaged 19 touches and 36.5 hit-outs against McEvoy’s 10 disposals and 34.5 hit-outs). The ruck battle this weekend will likely prove one of the most important duels of the night.
Jaidyn Stephenson
“I haven’t seen anyone like him”. Jaidyn Stephenson’s week started off on the right foot when he received this high praise off captain Scott Pendlebury. Stephenson was taken by the Pies with pick six in last year’s National Draft and has since struggled to put a foot wrong. The 19-year old has a strong skill set with speed to burn and is every chance to thrive on the wide expanses of the MCG.
Taylor Adams
Across these sides’ two encounters last year, Taylor Adams was arguably the Pies’ best performed player. Adams averaged 31 touches, seven marks, six clearances, five inside 50s and three tackles across the two games, revelling in the contested style of the meetings. With his ability to win a hard ball he is a favourite of his coach Nathan Buckley’s and he will be one Pie that Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson will be keen to stop.
