1. Is Liam Shiels flying under the radar?
We think he might be.
Liam Shiels has tallied 25 or more disposals in four of his past six matches to complement his defensive pressure when the Hawks don’t have possession.
The 24-year-old is averaging almost 21 disposals in his nine matches this season and has been a tackling machine.
Shiels added another six tackles to his season tally of 68 – and his average of 7.6 per game puts him second in the competition (for players who have played more than one match).
2. Can Brian Lake play on next year?
He thinks so, and on the back of his performances this year, why not?
Two years in the brown and gold have brought two flags – and a Norm Smith Medal – for defender Brian Lake.
The 33-year-old has played nine of a possible 12 matches this season, and highlighted his importance down back when James Frawley injured his shoulder against Essendon on Saturday.
Lake said earlier this week that he has no plans to hang up the boots while he’s still enjoying the game.
3. Is Jarryd Roughead the most complete utility in the competition?
You’d be hard-pressed to find somebody more versatile than the Hawks star.
Jarryd Roughead led the way for the Hawks against the Bombers, collecting 29 disposals in a performance which saw both coaches rate him as the most influential player on the ground.
Spending time up the ground has been a big part of Roughead’s game this year, while he’s still managed to kick 24 goals in 12 matches.
With seven clearances, seven tackles, eight marks and a goal, the 193-centimetre utility was involved in every aspect of the game – and the Bombers had no answers for him.
4. How important is the Hawks flexibility up forward?
It’s been extremely important over the past month, as coach Alastair Clarkson spoke about in his press conference and Bradley Hill noted after the game.
Pushing Jarryd Roughead up the ground allowed Paul Puopolo (four goals) and Jack Gunston (three goals) to have a big impact in the forward 50 against the Bombers.
But with 18 different goalkickers in their past four matches, the Hawks have proven they have plenty of players who can push forward and impact the scoreboard when required.
5. Late inclusion… Chris Langford?
Cyril Rioli was a late withdrawal on Saturday, and surprisingly it was four-time premiership player Chris Langford who came into the side.
Now 52, the dual All-Australian had 15 disposals and laid six tackles.
He also kicked an important goal which helped stretch the Hawks’ advantage to 42 points early in the final term, according to a Melbourne newspaper (see below).
All jokes aside, it was great to have premiership Hawk Langford – of the Will variety – back on the park for his first AFL game since Round 8.
