After a week off due to the bye, Hawthorn and Adelaide Crows will clash at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
Here’s a look at some of this week’s hot topics.
1. Rebounding from the bye
Bouncing back from a week off hasn’t proved an issue for the Hawks or the Crows.
Both sides have won three of their past four matches coming back from the bye.
The Hawks lost their most recent game after a bye – with just 14 points the margin against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 10 last year.
The Crows overcame Collingwood by 21 points in Round 9 last year.
2. Mitchell’s life membership
Midfield maestro Sam Mitchell is due to qualify for automatic AFL life membership this week.
The 32-year old is set to play his 300th official game since making his debut in 2002.
Mitchell has played 270 AFL premiership matches, 27 pre-season games, one State of Origin match and one International Rules match to date.
The veteran Hawk couldn’t be in better form heading into the match, with six consecutive 30-plus disposal games behind him.
3. Adelaide’s 25-year celebrations
It’s a big year for the Crows, who are celebrating their 25th season in the AFL.
The Crows opened their account with a thumping 86-point win against the Hawks in Round 1, 1991 – 24.15 (155) to 9.15 (69).
But the Hawks bounced back from the defeat to claim the premiership that year (in the only AFL grand final played at our current home base, Waverley Park).
4. Selection headaches
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson will have plenty to consider this week at the selection table.
The Hawks will have close to their full list available for senior selection for the first time this season.
Adding to an injury-free game against St Kilda in Round 10 were the returns of Ben McEvoy, Matt Spangher and Will Langford through the VFL in the Box Hill Hawks’ corresponding fixture.
With Grant Birchall and Paul Puopolo also possible returns from injury this week, it’s sure to be an interesting build-up to match-day at the Ricoh Centre.
5. Footy’s back
A week is a long time in football – or so the old saying goes.
But a week without football is even longer, and we couldn’t agree more with this Hawks fan.
The sixth-placed Hawks have an important month of footy ahead, starting with Thursday’s match against the seventh-placed Crows.
A month of equally big matches will follow, with the Hawks following four matches against rivals Essendon (13th), Collingwood (fourth), Fremantle (first) and Sydney (second).
