Jack Gunston
Fresh off his highest disposal tally of the season last week against Geelong, Jack Gunston will be keen to continue his strong form as his side heads to Perth to take on the Fremantle Dockers. Gunston thrived against the Cats, collecting 24 disposals, eight marks and four inside 50s. The 25-year old has historically enjoyed playing against the Dockers, averaging just shy of 15 possessions and two goals against them over his six meetings. However, his goal average may be reduced on Saturday night, with the versatile tall spending much of his time in the backline in recent weeks - a bold move that seems to be paying off for Coach Alastair Clarkson.
Ryan Burton
Having extended his contract at the Hawks until the end of 2020, Burton capped off what has been a stellar season for the promising defender. The Hawks have not beaten Freo on consecutive occasions at Domain Stadium since 2009. If that streak is to come to a halt this weekend, Burton will have to have a strong impact on this game. Burton is averaging 21.1 possessions this season and is leading his club in average rebound 50s with 3.9 a game.
Tom Mitchell
Tom Mitchell has recorded all sorts of extraordinary numbers this season, averaging a league-leading 36.1 possessions per game. Returning this week to Western Australia, the state from which he was drafted from, the former Swan is eyeing off a lesser known personal achievement. Not since Rounds 10-16 of the 2013 season has Mitchell kicked goals in six consecutive weeks, a feat he will match if he can put one through the big sticks this weekend. Putting these two periods of Mitchell’s career into perspective though, throughout the 2013 stint he averaged 22.5 disposals while over the last five weeks he has churned out 38.2 touches a game. Hawks fans will be hoping the 24-year old remains in sublime touch as he takes on a battle-hardened Docker midfield.
Read: Records tumbling before Tom
Lachie Neale
Fremantle’s reigning best and fairest winner, Lachie Neale has followed up an outstanding 2016 season with another dominant year in 2017. Averaging 28.1 disposals, Neale has also collected the sixth-most contested possessions of any player in the league at a rate of 13.6 per game. Neale has also grown his game to be kicking nearly a goal per game this season, ensuring a well-rounded influence on each of his 16 games this year.
Connor Blakely
This name may not have the familiarity that Hawks fans have with some of Blakely’s teammates, but nevertheless this up-and-coming 21-year old is one to watch for the Dockers. Blakely has averaged 25 possessions this season in what has been a break-out year for the Swan Districts product. After copping a one-match, club-enforced suspension in Round 15, Blakely has returned in ripping touch, averaging 32.5 disposals, 11.5 marks and five tackles over the last fortnight to be one of the most in-form Dockers.
Read: Opposition analysis Round 18
