With a top four spot the prize, Hawthorn and Sydney will do battle this Saturday night in what is set to be an enthralling contest.
What will make this final round clash all the more riveting is the star-power that each side boasts.
Read below as we preview some of the likely match-ups that are set to be pivotal in deciding the outcome of this match.
Tom Mitchell vs Luke Parker
Nose to the grindstone from siren to siren. These two former teammates could likely go head-to-head this Saturday night over what would be an incredibly combative 120 minutes. Both Mitchell and Parker have enjoyed exceptional seasons, with their ability to win the contested football a hallmark of their respective games. Since arriving at Hawthorn at the beginning of the 2017 season, Mitchell’s average of 25.7 possessions in his three matches against the Swans is the lowest of every opposition side. Look for Mitchell to rectify that statistic in this all-important clash.
Ben McEvoy vs Callum Sinclair
After spending five weeks on the sidelines, Ben McEvoy would have been excused for having a slightly underwhelming return game against St Kilda last weekend. But, as it happened, the former Saint proved one of the most influential Hawks, as he recorded 11 touches, five marks (of which four were contested), 32 hit-outs and two goals. This week he is confronted with Swans ruckman Callum Sinclair who has had a career-best year, averaging 14.9 touches and 28.9 hit-outs. Two mobile ruckmen, this contest will not only be judged by the ruck duel but also by how much influence McEvoy and Sinclair can have around the ground for their respective sides.
Luke Breust vs Dane Rampe
With an outstanding season in 2018, Luke Breust has earned the right to be regarded as the competition’s number one small forward. Breust has hit the scoreboard in all but four of his outings this year, proving a constant threat for opposition sides. This weekend Dane Rampe will likely be tasked with trying to curtail the 27-year old Hawk. Rampe is coming off an impressive game last week when he limited Giant Jeremy Cameron to just eight touches and a goal. Expect the outcome of this match-up to go a long way towards dictating the outcome of this game.
Shaun Burgoyne vs Josh Kennedy
Two of the more senior citizens of their respective clubs, both Burgoyne and Kennedy have a knack of rising to the demands of the big stage. With a month of footy now under his belt since his five-week lay-off, Burgoyne has found some solid form, averaging 21.5 possessions, 7.5 tackles and 5.8 clearances over that span. While Kennedy has averaged 27.5 touches over the past fortnight and is a big reason for why the Swans are enjoying the run that they are.
