The Changes
TBC at 6.25pm AEST on Thursday.
The Form
Hawthorn was slow to get going last week on the back of its big-game performance against the Sydney Swans the week before, but found its mojo in the second half to dispatch Richmond by 70 points.
The Hawks were inaccurate early in Sam Mitchell’s 300th AFL game, but found their range to kick 12.7 after half time.
Mitchell led the way with 38 touches, while Bradley Hill continued his good form with a 31-disposal game and his improvement could be a real boost for the Hawks if the last two weeks are anything to go by.
Carlton again pushed a top-eight side last week, falling six points short of what would have been one of the upsets of the year against the Sydney Swans.
Patrick Cripps and Bryce Gibbs led the Blues’ engine room in the middle of the ground with 63 disposals between them, 37 of which were contested.
Sam Docherty and Kade Simpson continued their terrific seasons in defence, but the Blues were ultimately unable to find a big target to kick to inside 50 when the game was there to be won.
Stats That Matter
Carlton was only able to take three marks inside 50 last week against the Swans, their lowest tally of the season. The Hawks will need to produce a similar defensive effort in Launceston on Saturday.
Key Player
Grant Birchall has been a model of consistency this season, collecting less than 20 disposals on just four occasions. He was the playmaker for the Hawks last week with 27 disposals, ten marks and five inside 50s, and will want to continue that form in front of his home crowd.
It’s A Big Week For…
James Sicily bounced back from a couple of lean weeks against Port Adelaide and Sydney with three goals against the Tigers, and will certainly be eyeing off a few more in Tassie.
Odd Fact
Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis are the only current Hawks who have endured a loss to Carlton, way back in Round 6, 2005.
Final Thoughts
This may seem like a favourable match-up for the Hawks, but Carlton showed last week they are no walk over and Hawthorn will need to play some of their best footy to beat them.
