Luke Breust
With the loss of fellow small forwards Paul Puopolo and Cyril Rioli to injury during the week, Luke Breust’s importance to Hawthorn’s structure increases over the next month. Breust has had an outstanding start to the year, booting 11 goals in the opening four games, while also averaging career-highs in disposals and tackles. North Melbourne’s small defenders will have their hands full with Breust, as the 27-year old looks to continue his strong form.
Read: Another boost for Breust
Liam Shiels
Coming off an outstanding game last week in which he was arguably best afield with a 31-disposal, 14-tackle, eight-clearance performance, Liam Shiels will again be vital to the Hawks’ fortunes this weekend. Shiels’ appetite for the contest will be appeased against North as they like to create a congested game style to suit their contested, big-bodied midfield. Watch as the 26-year old to gets to work in this Etihad Stadium clash.
Isaac Smith
If the Hawks will look to combat the Roos’ desire for an in-tight battle, Isaac Smith will be an important weapon in order to break the game open. The 29-year old ranks seventh in the league for bounces with 2.3 per game to go along with his 22.3 disposals, and career-highs in goals (1.3 per game) and contested possessions (6.3).
Billy Hartung
Having departed Hawthorn in the off-season, Billy Hartung was given a lifeline by the Kangaroos when they picked him in the national draft. Hartung has featured in all four of his new side’s games this season, averaging 22 disposals, just as he did last year for the Hawks. Where the former Hawk has made improvement though, is in the contested area of his game. With a previous career average of 3.8 contested possessions over his 63 games in the brown and gold, the former number 24 pick has doubled that rate in his new colours, averaging 7.5 per game so far this year.
Jed Anderson
Another former Hawk, Jed Anderson is coming off a career-best game last week in his side’s win over Carlton where he had 23 disposals, three marks, five tackles, four inside 50s and a goal. Anderson has only played 19 games for North Melbourne since crossing from the Hawks at the end of the 2015 season, but his four games so far this year have indicated he is taking the next step. The 24-year old is averaging career-highs in disposals (14.8), tackles (five), inside 50s (2.8) and contested possessions (8). In just the second occasion against his former club, expect Anderson to be keen to have a big impact.
