Isaac Smith
A remarkable football story will be celebrated this week when Isaac Smith runs out for his 150th game against GWS. A mature-age recruit, Smith’s draft year in 2010 began with him playing for Redan in the Ballarat Football League. Seven years down the track, Smith is now vice-captain of Hawthorn, the club he has won three premierships with and forged a household-name reputation. This season, the 28-year old is having, arguably, the best year of his career, having not previously reached the numbers he is averaging in key categories such as kicks (14.8), inside 50s (4.8) and clearances (2.6).
Kaiden Brand
The Giants’ three primary scoring sources are Jeremy Cameron, Jonathan Patton and Toby Greene. With Greene a likely omission this weekend, the onus will fall on Brand and his fellow defenders to focus in on nullifying the key forward pair. Whether it be Cameron or Patton, Brand will have his hands full this weekend. If Brand is able to win or at least halve his match-up this Saturday, it will go a long way towards creating a Hawk victory.
Jarryd Roughead
There is no side in the competition that Roughead has flourished against more throughout his career than the Giants. Over his four games against the Giants, Roughead has kicked 15 goals at an average of 3.75. Having a strong last three weeks which has seen him average 20 possessions, the one thing that has lacked for the skipper over that period is goal kicking, having kicked only three over that period. The 30-year old will be keen to have a big game in front of the sticks as he hopes to lead his side to third consecutive win.
Josh Kelly
Josh Kelly entered the league with high expectations. Recruiters had compared his playing style to that of Collingwood superstar Scott Pendlebury, a suggestion that would lead many youngsters to crumble under that level of pressure- but Kelly has only thrived. Kelly has shot up this year, announcing himself as one of the competition’s elite. Averaging 29.6 disposals to lead a star-studded Giants midfield, Kelly will be one to watch for a very long time!
Dylan Shiel
Dylan Shiel has had the third most clearances of any player in the competition this year. A contested bull inside the stoppage, Shiel has also improved his potency outside of the contest this year, averaging a career-high 16.2 contested possessions. Shiel is an integral part of his side, with no Giant having had more disposals or contested possessions than the 24-year old this year.
Read: Opposition analysis Round 16
