After a hefty loss in NAB 2, Hawthorn are expected to field a stronger team in this week’s final round of the 2016 NAB Challenge.
The Hawks’ final dress rehearsal before Round 1 will see them take on last year’s preliminary finalists North Melbourne.
Ruckman Jonathon Ceglar is expected to make his first appearance in the NAB Challenge competition after being sidelined with a minor finger injury during the preseason. Averaging 23 hit-outs and 12 disposals in the first thirteen games of 2015, the ruckman will be looking to cement his spot in 2016. Jack Gunston and Will Langford are also available for selection, having not yet pulled on the brown and gold in season 2016.
The form
With both teams recording a win and a loss so far during their NAB Challenge campaigns they will be looking to discover some form in their final hit out of the preseason competition.
Hawthorn suffered a hefty loss to Richmond in NAB 2, but fielded a relatively inexperienced side with Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith, Luke Breust and Ben Stratton all rested,
Despite going down by 71 points there were plenty of positive signs for the Hawks, with strong performances from youngster Tim O’Brien and debutants Kieran Lovell and Blake Hardwick.
The history
Hawthorn dominated the last time these two met back in 2015, with the Roos only able to tick up one win against the Hawks in last year’s NAB Challenge.
North will be looking to test themselves against the Hawks after falling just one game short of a Grand Final birth in 2015.
Who to watch out for
Hawthorn youngsters have impressed during the NAB Challenge, with some solid performances coming out of the first two games.
Draftees Blake Hardwick and Kieran Lovell made their brown and gold debut against the Tigers. Hardwick collected 12 disposals and one goal, while Lovell ended the game with three tackles and seven disposals.
Youngster Tim O’Brien also impressed in NAB 2, kicking one goal and finishing up with nine disposals and five marks.
Jonathon O’Rourke and James Sicily are also on the coaches’ radars as the competition for a Round 1 spot heats up.
Missing
It’s a relatively clean bill of health for the Hawks at this stage of the year.
Matt Spangher has been on a restricted program following a calf strain, making him an unlikely option in this week’s line up. While Jack Fitzpatrick is unavailable after suffering a knee injury against Richmond in NAB 2.
The ongoing absence of Jarryd Roughead continues to pose front line questions for Hawthorn coaching staff, however young guns Tim O’Brien and James Sicily have both been showing the depth of the Hawthorn side throughout the summer.
