The Changes
Both teams have included ruckman in their 25-man extended squads.
Hawthorn have included big men Jack Fitzpatrick, Marc Pittonet and Ryan Schoenmakers in their squad along with midfielder Kieran Lovell.
Travis Cloke has been named as an inclusion for Collingwood who will conclude their 2016 season against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon.
Cloke joins retiring duo Tyson Goldsack and Brent Macaffer in the side, as well as ruckman Jarrod Witts.
The Form
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Hawthorn last week as they went down to West Coast Eagles by 35 points at Domain Stadium which saw them slip from top spot on the ladder to fourth.
Jonathon Ceglar tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season in what was a real ‘salt in the wound’ moment.
The positive is that the Hawks are developing some depth through the VFL, with a number of players returning from injury and putting their hands up for selection with good performances for Box Hill.
Collingwood did as they pleased against an undermanned Gold Coast Suns outfit at Etihad Stadium last week, running out 71-point winners.
Adam Treloar and Scott Pendlebury were outstanding for the Pies, both collecting over 30 disposals.
But Collingwood will be without a number of first-choice players for the clash on Sunday, with Darcy Moore, Taylor Adams, Ben Reid, Tom Langdon and Alex Fasolo all done for the season with injury.
Stats That Matter
Hawthorn took just two contested marks to West Coast’s 18 last week, which will need to be a focus area for the reigning premiers against the Pies.
Key Player
Luke Hodge was outstanding for the Hawks last week, collecting 28 disposals as he tried to lift his side. The Hawthorn skipper, who signed a contract extension this week, averages 26.5 disposals against Collingwood over his career, his second-highest average against any team.
It’s A Big Week For…
After going goalless for the first time since Round 1, Cyril Rioli will be wanting to bounce back against Collingwood this week. The Norm Smith Medallist kicked five goals against the Pies back in Round 14 last year.
Odd Fact
Hawthorn takes an unbeaten Round 23 record into the coming weekend. There has only been a Round 23 in eight previous AFL seasons - 1991, 1992, 1994, and from 2011 onwards. Hawthorn had the bye in 1992 and recorded good wins in the other seven years.
Final Thoughts
The Hawks have responded strongly to disappointing losses in recent years and this could be no exception. A win guarantees them a top four finish for the sixth-straight season.
