FIVE TO WATCH
1. Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)
If you had to associate Isaac Smith’s season to date, it would be consistency.
The 26-year-old has been in stellar form, finding plenty of the ball and using it to drive the Hawks into attack repeatedly.
Smith is averaging more than 26 disposals per game, and is ranked fourth in the competition for inside-50s per game (5.6).
Only once this year has he failed to collect more than 20 disposals, which was against the Bombers in Round 2.
Outside run is an area the Hawks could aim to expose the Bombers, and Smith’s ability to break the lines by foot and through sheer speed will be important.
2. Michael Hurley (Essendon)
Essendon’s Michael Hurley has arguably been one of the competition’s leading defenders in 2015.
Averaging 20.5 disposals and 7.2 marks per match, Hurley has played a key role for the Bombers both with and without the ball.
The 24-year-old was among the Bombers’ best players in Round 2, limiting the influence of star Hawks forward Jarryd Roughead.
Alongside Cale Hooker, Hurley is a key plank in his Bombers defensive set-up, which will face a tough task on Saturday.
The Hawks are ranked first in the competition for points scored per game.
3. David Hale (Hawthorn)
Injury interrupted the early stages of David Hale’s season, but his performance against Adelaide Crows in Round 12 again highlighted just how important he is to the Hawks.
The ruckman-forward was influential around the ground against the Crows and chimed in with two goals.
Hale had a season-high 28 hitouts and 15 disposals, combining with Jon Ceglar to win the hitouts against the Crows.
The 31-year-old will have a big role to play against the Bombers, who have gone in with just one ruckman in Shaun McKernan.
4. Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Second-year midfielder-forward Zach Merrett has established himself as an essential component of Essendon’s best 22.
The speedy Bomber has played 20 games in his debut season and has played every game this season.
Merrett collected a career-best 29 disposals against West Coast before the bye, which was preceded by a 27-possesion game against Geelong.
With eight 20-plus disposal games already this season, the 20-year-old is complementing midfield veterans Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard nicely.
5. Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
The final word goes to Luke Hodge - and we suggest keeping a close eye on the Hawthorn captain on Saturday.
Hodge has been in brilliant form this season, averaging 28.7 disposals in his eight games.
He starred against the Crows in Round 12, collecting 25 disposals and eight marks playing through the midfield and across halfback.
The 31-year-old knows all about playing the Bombers – and is expecting a big performance this week.
“They beat us at the MCG in Round 2, which we were very disappointed with and want to make up for,” Hodge said.
