With the Hawks ready to take on Richmond on Sunday, hawthornfc.com.au looks at the five key players who could impact the result.
1. Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
The Tigers are the number one clearance team in the competition, with their ruckman, Shaun Hampson the number tap to advantage ruckman in the league, so Hawthorn’s ability to read his play will be crucial.
So far this season, Lewis has been Hawthorn’s most dangerous clearance player, ranked number one at the Club for overall clearances and centre clearances, so his ability to read the ball off Hampson’s taps will be crucial.
Lewis has more clearances than any other Hawk in last Monday’s loss to Geelong with eight, so against the best midfielders he stands up.
He averages 22 disposals against the Tigers, including 3.7 clearances, 3.0 tackles and has also kicked six goals in 10 games against them.
2. Shaun Hampson (Richmond)
Hampson is the main reason why the Tigers are the number one clearance team in the competition, with an average of 37 per cent of his hit outs going to the advantage of a teammate.
In last week’s win over Brisbane, 18 of his hit outs were to a teammate, and a number of which resulted in scores for his team.
Richmond’s biggest strength is its midfield that is laden with talent and against Hawthorn, you simply must win the midfield battle. That is what the Tigers have done in their past two matches against the Hawks and as a result, have won both games comfortably.
Whether they can win the midfield battle on Sunday or not all comes down to Hampson’s tap work against Ben McEvoy
3. Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
He was Hawthorn’s most dangerous forward last week because he’s getting himself into dangerous positions while the defence is Jarryd Roughead focused. Gunston is reaping the benefits of taking the opposition’s second-best defender hurting them where it counts, on the scoreboard.
Athletic for his size, a good mark on the lead and overhead and a reliable set shot, Gunston looms as the danger man for the Hawks inside forward 50 on Sunday.
Last year Roughead was goalless against the Tigers and he will again be their number one target inside 50, so Gunston’s ability to win the ball himself will also free up his forward teammate.
He is ranked second at the Hawks this year for goal kicked, with 13 in five games.
4. Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
Cotchin is Richmond’s most valuable player not only because he’s the captain of their club but because he is one of the best disposers of the footy in their side.
In last year’s victory over the Hawks, he had 34 disposals in a dominant performance in the midfield.
He has copped criticism in recent weeks for his ability to cope with the tag and will likely get Will Langford as company on Sunday, so his ability to break that will be important.
Cotchin can will the ball in tight, hurt you on the spread and inside forward 50 with his ability to lead, take marks and kick goals, so the Hawks will need to be wary particularly when he goes forward.
Interestingly though, Hawthorn is the team he performs best against (outside the expansion clubs), averaging 26.6 disposals against the Hawks in five games.
5. Bachar Houli (Richmond)
The run Houli provides the Tigers off half-back in largely underrated but when they’re at their best it’s on the back of him running through the midfield and using his skills to cut through the opposition’s defence.
So far this season, Houli hasn’t been as daring out of the backline and the Tigers have consequently lost that run and spark that made them a good and dangerous side last season.
But like anything, that could come back at any time and if the Tiger defender is given the space and time to run through the middle, he’ll hurt the Hawks.
He’s quick and with Hawthorn’s desire to pressure their opposition’s defence, making sure he hasn’t got any space to work in will help them achieve that and then hopefully, kick a winning score.
