DESPITE defeating Gold Coast by 99 points earlier this year, Assistant Coach Cameron Bruce says the Hawks expect a much different contest between the sides at Aurora Stadium on Saturday.
Hawthorn cruised to victory against the Suns at Metricon Stadium in Round 4, with the Hawk midfield in particular dominating their Gold Coast counterparts.
The Hawks had four players pick up 30 or more disposals (Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Josh Gibson and Matt Suckling), while eight others managed 20 or more possessions.
But after the Suns achieved their best ever win last week – a 40-point win over Geelong – the Hawks are under no illusions of what will face them this time around.
“We probably weren’t all that shocked; they’re a very promising side who have challenged some quality teams this year,” Bruce told hawthornfc.com.au of Gold Coast’s Round 13 victory.
“They have a lot of talent in their team so we’re going to have to be right on.
“We don’t expect to be getting the same result as the Gold Coast we faced in Round 4.”
Hawthorn booted 12 goals to one in a powerful second half to set up the 99-point win but despite the margin, Bruce said the contest closer than the scoreboard suggested.
“It probably didn’t reflect how competitive the game was,” he said of the final margin.
“They played two to three quarters of really competitive footy against us but we were able to get them in the last.”
The Suns were missing a number of key players in that game, including gun midfielder Harley Bennell, ruckman Zac Smith and key forward Charlie Dixon.
The trio are key players for Suns, who will be boosted by their inclusion on Saturday.
Bennell has been outstanding this season and booted a career-high six goals to go along with 27 disposals against the Cats last week, while Dixon has booted 17 goals in just nine matches this year.
Bruce says though that it’s not just a change in personnel that will see the Suns pose a threat to Hawthorn’s top-four aspirations but also in their improvement around the ball.
The Suns are ranked number one in the league for winning contested footy.
“The players who didn’t play last time have been performing well, so it’s going to be a completely different look,” he said
“It’s not only the personnel, they’re a new club so the more they get to play with each other, they will improve and that’s what they’re doing.
“Football starts by winning the contested ball and they’re ranked number one, so we’ll have to make sure we bring our competitive game on the weekend.”
Bruce says the Hawks will need a similar performance from the midfield to that of the Round 4 contest to bank another four points against a fellow top-eight side.
“Our midfield played really well last time we played them - we hope for a similar standard of performance from them on Saturday,” he said.
