Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
The skipper was inspirational last Thursday night against Port Adelaide, marshalling the Hawthorn troops as he so often does and collecting 29 disposals in the process.
There is no one at Hawthorn who loves a big game more, and tonight’s match against the Swans is probably Hawthorn’s biggest of the season to date – expect Hodge to have an impact.
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Gunston was exceptional against the Swans last time the two sides met, clunking 11 marks and bagging four goals in one of his best performances in 2016.
If the Hawks want to kick a winning score, Gunston will need to produce some of his best work against a rock-solid Swans defence.
Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)
Smith worked his way into the game against Port Adelaide last week nicely, finishing the night with 22 disposals at a tidy 72% efficiency.
The Hawks have some speedsters in their side, Smith being one of them, and they will want all of them firing together on the SCG tonight.
Dane Rampe (Sydney Swans)
Rampe was clearly Sydney’s best player in their impressive win over Geelong last Friday night, collecting 23 disposals, six marks and eight rebound 50’s as he curtailed the Cats’ attacking plays with regularity.
The Hawks will want to find a way past Rampe tonight if they are to kick a winning score against one of the best defensive teams in the competition.
Luke Parker (Sydney Swans)
Parker has been touted as a Brownlow Medal chance this season, and he showed his credentials to the footy world again last week.
The gun midfielder collected 27 disposals and seven clearances, but he also knows his way around the goals, kicking one goal himself and setting up two others.
Watching Parker go head to head with any of Hawthorn’s hard-nosed midfielders will be terrific viewing.