SUMMARY
Quirk No.1: These two sides are playing each other for the second time in nine weeks. Quirk No.2: Despite belting the Hawks by 86 points when they played in round three, the Suns somehow find themselves underdogs to win the return bout. They have the forward weaponry to challenge the undermanned and undersized Hawk backline, but can they bring the heat on the road? The Hawks are nothing if not proud and after their ordinary 0.3 first half against Port last week, they turned things around and played a decent enough second half. Having a nine-day break between games should freshen them up nicely and they’ll relish their first home game at the MCG in seven weeks.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Saturday, June 10, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R3, 2017, Gold Coast 21.13 (139) d Hawthorn 7.11 (53) at Metricon Stadium
R14, 2016, Hawthorn 12.14 (86) d Gold Coast 8.12 (60) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R9, 2015, Hawthorn 14.9 (93) d Gold Coast 6.4 (40) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R15, 2014, Hawthorn 17.14 (116) d Gold Coast 10.3 (63) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R4, 2014, Hawthorn 23.10 (148) d Gold Coast 7.7 (49) at Metricon Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. The Suns led by 26 points at half-time in round three before kicking 10 goals to three in a club record third term. Brandon Matera kicked a career-high six goals and Gary Ablett starred with 36 disposals and two goals.
2. It’s a contrast in styles this season between the sides with Gold Coast ranked first for disposals per game with an average of 416.9 compared to Hawthorn ranked 12th at 383 per game.
3. The Hawks have used 35 players this season, the equal most of any team and they’ve played three debutants; Gold Coast has used 32 players and played four first-gamers.
4. Not in the Suns' favour is their history at the MCG, winning only two of 11 matches, they’ve lost their last four and haven’t won since round 5, 2014.
5. Hawthorn continues to struggle to score this season kicking an average score of only 78 points per game, down from 95 in 2016 and is currently on track for its lowest season average since 2004.
6. The only player ranked in the top five of any category in the Schick AFL Player Rankings is Gold Coast full-back Steven May, No.4 among all key defenders with 435.4 points.
Read: Where have the 'Unsociable Hawks' gone?
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Jack Gunston
It hasn't been the most productive season for the Hawk medium forward and he could only muster a team-low seven disposals against Port Adelaide last week. The Suns have some potent forwards, so Gunston needs to hit the scoreboard for the Hawks to win.
Tom Lynch
The Hawks' defensive stocks have been struck by injury this year, meaning the youthful incomers of Kaiden Brand, Daniel Howe and Blake Hardwick have been forced to step up ahead of their time over the past few weeks. Power forward Charlie Dixon was able to take hold of the Hawks last week, and Tom Lynch will be looking to perform similarly this week.
Read: Bupa recovery report R12
