Kiwi first for AFL
Hawthorn debutant Kurt Heatherley made history when he took to the MCG for his debut on Saturday against the Demons.
Heatherley became the first International Rookie from New Zealand to play in the AFL.
The born and bred Kiwi spent two seasons as an international rookie before being promoted to the primary list at the end of last year.
Cyril sublime as ever
Thank god for Cyril Rioli. The small forward lit up the MCG again on Saturday with four goals and 15 disposals.
Whether he was up forward or in the midfield, Rioli was dangerous all day.
Rioli showed no signs of any injury concerns, having missed the Hawks’ Round 19 match against the Blues with quad soreness.
Hawks’ backline stretched
The Hawks backline was tested on Saturday with a wealth of experience missing from their defensive line-up.
Key defender James Frawley was a late withdrawal, unable to face his former side due to a jarred shoulder.
The Hawks’ depth was further depleted when Ben Stratton was taken out of the game in the third quarter with a suspected pectoral injury.
Subsequently the Hawks’ fielded on of their youngest back six in recent times with 2016 debutants Heatherley and Kaiden Brand left to take on extra responsibility.
Hawk’s tracking nicely
Despite their loss to the Dees the Hawks are still tracking along nicely if you compare their position to this time last year.
After Round 20, 2015 the Hawks sat third on the AFL ladder, eight points behind ladder leaders Fremantle and just one game clear of the fourth and fifth placed, Dogs and Swans.
In 2016 the Hawks currently sit one game clear on top of the ladder with three games to play. Despite a tough run home there is no need for Hawks fans to panic just yet.
Depth no problem for Hawks
The Hawks have had six debutants so far in 2016, with Kurt Heatherley, Kaiden Brand, Kieran Lovell, Kade Stewart, Blake Hardwick and Marc Pittonet all donning the brown and gold for the first time this season.
The Hawks also took to the field on Saturday without Liam Shiels, Paul Puopolo and James Frawley, while fellow premiership players Ryan Schoenmakers and Matt Spangher are also currently unavailable selection.
Through Jarryd Roughead into that list and the Hawks’ experience has taken a pretty hard hit.
Despite their injury list the Hawks manage to find themselves on top of the ladder with Brendan Whitecross, James Sicily, Tim O’Brien, Will Langford, Jono O’Rourke, Daniel Howe and Billy Hartung all having an impact across the season.
