The Changes
Hawthorn
OUT – Spangher (hamstring), Langofrd (managed)
IN – Stewart (new), Howe
Melbourne
OUT – Viney (suspension/hand), Garland (cheekbone), Neal-Bullen, Kennedy, Newton
IN – Trengove, Dawes, Frost, vandenBerg, Oliver
The Form
Looking at the form guide, little separates the Hawks and Demons.
The Hawks sit in seventh place after 10 rounds with seven wins and three losses, with the Demons in ninth with five wins and five losses.
It could quite easily be the other way around – with the Hawks enjoying three three-point wins, and the Dees suffering defeat by less than three kicks on a couple of occasions.
The Hawks enter the match on the back of a hard-fought win against Brisbane Lions, with a loss to Sydney Swans and wins against Fremantle and Richmond in the proceeding rounds.
Jordan Lewis has found form over the past month, as has Isaac Smith, while Jack Gunston and Cyril Rioli continue to have an impact around goal.
The Demons haven’t been able to string together back-to-back wins since Round 5, and will be looking to rebound from a loss to Port Adelaide.
Max Gawn, Jesse Hogan and Nathan Jones have been influential for Melbourne in 2016.
Stats That Matter
Winning the contested ball will be key. It’s an area the Demons have been strong in, and one the Hawks are building in.
The Demons rank second for hit-outs, second for clearances and fourth for contested ball, which has allowed them to play an attacking brand of football – compared to the Hawks’ third, fourth and 12th in the respective stats categories. However, Demons clearance king Jack Viney will miss this week – and they will need someone to step up.
Key Player
James Frawley is in strong form heading into his second clash against his former side.
You would expect Frawley to line-up on the Demons’ number one forward in Jesse Hogan, who ranks fourth in the AFL for marks, and has kicked 26 goals.
It’s A Big Week For…
Without a doubt it’s big occasion for Katanning’s Kade Stewart, who has been upgraded from the rookie list and will make his senior debut.
While slight of frame, Stewart’s hunger for the contest has been evident in the opening rounds of the VFL season, and it will be interesting to see how he fares on the MCG.
Odd Fact
Hawthorn has won its past 12 matches against Melbourne, a record dating back to Round 7 2007. If the Hawks can win again this week, it will make it the equal sixth longest winning run against an opposition club in Hawthorn’s history.
Final Thoughts
It’s a big match for both sides. A win for the Hawks, and it’s a step closer to the top four. A win for the Demons, and they’re potentially into the top eight. Both sides will be expecting a far closer contest than their last meeting, a 105-point win to the Hawks.
