With the Hawks ready to take on Gold Coast on Saturday night, hawthornfc.com.au looks at the five key players who could impact the result.
1. Isaac Smith (Hawthorn)
The Hawthorn speedster was outstanding in last week's victory over Fremantle, not only did he have 30 disposals but he also kicked three goals including two in a minute in the second quarter.
His pace is crucial in a Hawthorn midfield that has dour performers like Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis.
Gold Coast are a quick side and they caught the Hawks out through the middle with their speed in Round 9 last year, so Smith will be a key player in providing run for the Hawks.
2. Dion Prestia (Gold Coast)
We've spoken all about Gary Ablett in this week's match preview so we'll focus more here on their younger stars.
A nuggety midfielder, Prestia is a ball magnet and hurts his opposition with the efficiency in which he uses it.
He is averaging 28.7 disposals at 66.3 per cent efficiency in his first three games and has been named in Gold Coast's best xx times.
He is also ranked second at his club for contested possessions, clearances and centre clearances and fourth for uncontested possessions.
He is one of many great Suns midfielders who assist Ablett and are on the rise.
3. Luke Breust (Hawthorn)
He's kicked more goals than any other player so far this season (equal with Nick Riewoldt) and in the humid and possibly wet conditions on the Gold Coast, Breust's ground level ability will be important.
At times, sides with power forwards travelling to the Gold Coast can struggle with the conditions that are nowhere near ideal for the key position forward, which means the players at their feet are usually the ones doing the damage.
Following some extra work during pre-season on his goal kicking and clean ball handling in tight, Breust is playing some of the best footy of his career at present and poses a big threat to the Suns in front of goal and when setting up a teammate.
4. Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn)
In the difficult conditions players who can handle the ball cleanly are worth their weight in good and Burgoyne is certainly that player at the Hawks.
He doesn't have the nickname 'Silk' for nothing, he rarely fumbles and disposals the footy with class. His disposal efficiency average for the first three games is 75.3.
Burgoyne will be important in his ability to play forward, in the midfield and down back.
5. Sam Day (Gold Coast)
He's Gold Coast's leading goal kicker with eight from three games and Day's maturity has been one of the reasons why the Suns are looming as a potential finals side.
He is a real target for them to kick to, with his athleticism just as good as his contested marking.
His ability to provide a target for the his teammates to kick to will be important, particularly given the strength of Hawthorn's defence.
