BETTING companies are already paying out on him for this year’s Brownlow Medal.
There’s no doubt Fremantle’s Nat Fyfe – who leads the competition for disposals, clearances and contested possessions after fourteen rounds – has had an outstanding season to date.
And the Hawks will be tasked with finding a way to stop the prolific midfielder when they meet the Dockers at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Sunday.
No side has kept Fyfe to less than 26 disposals this season – and for good reason according to Hawks Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton.
“I’m not sure we actually can combat him totally,” Bolton said.
“I think he’s still going to get his fair share of the ball, but we’ll just monitor his impact.
“We know if he’s pushing and kicking goals – which he can – that hurts us, so we’ll just wait and see which way we go there.”
But Fyfe’s impact is just one reason the Dockers are sitting on top of the ladder, and Bolton said the Hawks can’t afford to focus solely on the 23-year-old.
“The ladder doesn’t lie, does it – they’re a very well-coached and organised team,” he said.
“They’re hard to score against and they’ve got some outstanding midfielders – they’ve got (Aaron) Sandilands in the ruck, Fyfe, (David) Mundy, (Michael) Barlow and even (Lachie) Neale now, who has developed into a real quality midfielder.
“We’re going to have to play well in all facets of the games, because they’re a really well drilled unit, particularly through their midfield.”
Ruckman Ben McEvoy returns for the Hawks for his first AFL match since Round 6, and alongside David Hale, will go head-to-head in the ruck with the in-form Sandilands and Zac Clarke.
Bolton said it was a challenge he was more than ready for.
“Macca comes in with form,” he said.
“He’s played some really, really good footy at Box Hill level – he’s been marking the ball around the ground and up forward, so he’ll come in with some confidence.”
The Hawks’ confidence has been building – they have won their past five matches – and Bolton said they would take confidence from their 7-0 record against the Dockers at Aurora Stadium, a ground he acknowledged “we play well on”.
Breaking down the Dockers’ defence – which concedes the least amount of points in the competition – and finding multiple avenues to goal will be pivotal.
It’s something the Hawks – who are ranked first for points scored – have done well so far this season.
“It’s really important that we maintain that – it’s not just down to one person to kick goals,” Bolton said.
“If someone does bob up and kick five like Rioli last week, we’ll take it every day of the week, but we know team offence is just as important as team defence and we hope to spread the load again.”
