With an all-important clash with Sydney this weekend before a guaranteed finals campaign, we take a look at which Hawks are hitting form at this crunch time of the year.
Jack Gunston
You could mount a case that Jack Gunston is amidst some of the best form of his career at the moment. Gunston has averaged 21 disposals and 3.7 goals over the past three weeks, with best on ground performances in the critical wins over Essendon and St Kilda. As well as hitting the scoreboard consistently of late, the 26-year old has also been deployed into the backline and in the midfield throughout stages recently and had some important moments in those areas. Having kicked five goals against the Swans in Round 8, a continuation of this level of form would likely mean a brown and gold victory on Saturday night.
Jaeger O’Meara
With Gunston it may be a debate, but with O’Meara there is no argument: Jaeger is playing the best football of his career. The 24-year old has averaged 28.2 touches over his past five outings and has also booted six goals over that time. With his previous three seasons having been so tainted by injury, O’Meara has finally been afforded a run of fortune and the player that Hawks fans had so dearly hoped for is now before their eyes and ready to take on his first piece of September action.
Ben Stratton
He might not be setting the stat sheet alight, but Ben Stratton has been monumental for the Hawks across their current five-game winning streak. His highlight over this run came in the Round 20 win over Essendon when he had a season-high 20 touches which included 11 intercept possessions. Without Stratton’s influence against the Bombers, the Hawks could have easily dropped that game to their red and black rivals. Similarly, last week against St Kilda, Stratton recorded a game-high and new career-high 14 one-percenters. Stratton’s presence in the Hawthorn defence has never been so important.
