Tom Mitchell
Coming up against what many consider to be the number one midfield in the country, Mitchell will have his hands full against the Pies this Sunday afternoon.
Continuing to hold onto the mantle of the league’s top ball-getter, Mitchell’s season in which he has averaged 35.5 disposals has been a pleasure to watch.
What has made the recruit’s year impressive has been his balance between contested and uncontested possession with the 24-year old standing fourth league wide in both categories.
Ben Stratton
After six weeks on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury, Ben Stratton’s return to the senior side this weekend is expected to have an instant, positive impact for the Hawks.
One of the Hawks most valued and reliable defenders, Stratton’s ability to shut down the opposition’s most dangerous forward has been missed over the past month and a half.
Stratton will likely be tasked with looking after Jamie Elliott this Sunday, who is the Magpies’ leading goal kicker this season with 20 majors.
Jarryd Roughead
After last week’s upset win over Adelaide, the Hawks remained with the slightest piece of hope that 2017 may not quite be a write-off.
Hawks skipper Jarryd Roughead, having had a consistent season this year, will be intent on keeping that glimmer of hope alive in a must-win match-up with the Magpies.
The 30-year old averages over two goals a game against the Pies and will be looking to record another strong performance this Sunday.
Scott Pendlebury
Scott Pendlebury is set to play his 250th game this weekend against Hawthorn, as the game celebrates an outstanding career.
Showing no signs of slowing down, the 29-year old remains one of the shining lights of the competition and is tracking towards his seventh consecutive season in which he has averaged over 28 possessions per game.
A young and talented midfield group is growing around the Pies’ captain, which has further aided one of the most skilled and composed players under pressure in the game.
Jeremy Howe
Howe is enjoying the best season of his career this year, posting career-high averages in disposals, marks, rebound 50s, uncontested possessions and contested marks.
It is not only on an individual level that Howe is thriving this year, the former Demon ranks second league-wide for both marks and contested marks.
The high-flying 26-year old has also become one of the game’s best intercept players and kicks off half-back and, with much conversation about him being selected in this year’s All Australian squad of 40, he figures as a key Pie to watch this weekend.
