WITH key forward Jack Gunston to miss Hawthorn’s do-or-die semi-final against Adelaide Crows, hawthornfc.com.au takes a look at some of the players who could be in line to replace him.
Gunston leads the Hawks’ goalkicking tally in 2015 with 53 majors from 23 games, and will be a big loss.
But the Hawks have a number of strong candidates pushing for a finals opportunity.
Here's a quick look at just some of players waiting in the wings.
Like-for-like
If Alastair Clarkson and the Hawks’ match committee opt for a like-for-like replacement for Gunston, James Sicily and Tim O’Brien could be in the frame.
Sicily played the most recent of his three AFL games in Round 23 and has looked at home at AFL level, while O’Brien has enjoyed a consistent season at VFL level.
Both are around the 190-centimetre mark, strong overhead and good in front of goal.
Small for tall
If the Hawks opt for another runner, Billy Hartung will be closely looked at after being a qualifying final emergency, while GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan mentioned Jed Anderson as a possible inclusion in yesterday’s Bupa Recovery Report.
Hartung has played 18 AFL games this season and starred in his most recent match – Box Hill Hawks’ VFL qualifying final triumph a fortnight ago.
Anderson’s most recent AFL game was in Round 7, but the skilful left-footer has enjoyed a strong season at VFL level, finding plenty of the ball and kicking 21 goals from 13 games.
Swingmen
Premiership winner Matt Spangher and fellow swingman Ryan Schoenmakers could both be in the mix.
Both are capable of playing tall at either end of the ground – Spangher has spent more time as a defender this year, with Schoenmakers spending more time up forward.
Spangher has played just four AFL games this year due to injury but was a key to the Hawks’ success last season, while Schoenmakers played the most recent of his 13 AFL matches for the year in Round 21.
RELATED
Numbers Game: DiPierdomenico on Burgoyne
Bupa Recovery Report: Gunston out
