Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)
With the loss of Bradley Hill with a fractured wrist, the explosive dash of Isaac Smith becomes all the more important.
Smith has become one of the most damaging run-and-carry players in the competition, and he will need to be at his line-breaking best on Monday to ensure the Hawks generate enough opportunities to score via quick movement of the football.
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Everyone has been talking about Jarryd Roughead’s absence and what it will mean for Hawthorn’s early-season prospects, and Jack Gunston is going to play a vital role in ensuring the Hawks can maintain their firepower up forward.
Gunston will be looked to as a focal point inside 50, as he has for a number of year, to help bring Hawthorn’s live-wire small forwards into the game.
James Frawley (Hawthorn) vs Tom Hawkins (Geelong)
After playing arguably his best game in Hawthorn colours during last year’s grand final against West Coast when he blanketed 2015 Coleman Medallist Josh Kennedy, Frawley now takes over more responsibility in 2016.
Following the retirement of Brian Lake, Frawley looks set for a tough first-up challenge on Tom Hawkins, and this match-up could go a long way to deciding which team takes the four points.
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
Geelong’s star recruit is primed for a huge season after dominating the NAB Challenge.
He hasn’t played in the same line-up as fellow Cats star Joel Selwood, but one can’t help but think that Selwood’s presence will only make Dangerfield’s life in the midfield even easier than what it has been in the pre-season.
Limiting Dangerfield's impact will be pivotal to the Hawks' chances.
Joel Selwood (Geelong)
After suffering some foot issues during the pre-season which limited his training load and also kept him out of the NAB Challenge, Selwood is all but confirmed to play after a very polished performance in a VFL practice match last week where he collected 30-odd disposals and kicked two goals.
The Cats are confident that he is fine to play, but will his lack of pre-season match practice hinder him in the first proper hit out of the season? Either way, the Hawks will need to be wary of the Cats' star and skipper.
