HAWTHORN ruck duo Max Bailey and David Hale are preparing themselves for one of AFL’s toughest tasks, curbing the influence of Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The pair, who have been important players in Hawthorn’s road to the Grand Final have a plan in place to nullify his influence.
The AFL’s best ruckman are those who compete well in ruck duals but more importantly, who are able to push forward and kick goals.
Sandilands has proved himself to be a dangerous tall option inside Fremantle’s forward 50 not just because of his big frame – he is 211cm, but because he has improved his overhead marking.
At Hawthorn, the role of both Bailey and Hale isn’t to be one dimensional ruckman but to also be genuine marking options inside 50.
It is Hale who has proven particularly valuable to the Hawks because of his ability to play both as a ruckman and a dangerous forward and looms as a key player in Saturday’s Grand Final.
Hale has two goals in each of Hawthorn’s two finals matches so far but it was his performance against Geelong that was most impressive.
He took seven marks, had 15 disposals and had 18 hit outs but also had four shots on goal for a return of 2.2.
Bailey has kicked seven goals this season and when inside 50, has shown he is more than capable of taking a mark and converting such is his mobility as a big man.
The pair will be hoping they can prove dangerous inside 50 and work the Fremantle big man the other way.
“Hopefully on the day Max and I can wear him down and go forward and kick goals, that’s something that’s a key for us,” Hale told hawthornfc.com.au
“You can only try and limit what he does because he’s a fair bit bigger than both of us.”
To do that though, Hale, Bailey and the rest of Hawthorn’s forward line will need to be at their best to give themselves the opportunity to score against the AFL’s best defensive team.
The Dockers conceded the least amount of points to their opposition throughout the home and away season and have conceded two less points than the Hawks in the finals.
The Hawks are aware of that, however, and are ready for the challenge.
“Their game is based a little bit more on defence – they’ve got a good back six with (Zac) Dawson and (Luke) McPharlin,” Hale said.
“A few of their key players have come back in the last few weeks and started to play well so it will definitely be a tough battle.
“It just comes down to the one day and you’ve got to play well for four quarters, which we probably let ourselves down with last year.”
But while everyone has been consumed by the purple haze, the Hawks have remained focused on their game rather than worrying too much about their opposition.
“Ross Lyon teams play to a specific structure and their players fall into line and just do their role,” Hale said.
“That’s something that we focus on as well, we don’t need any heroes, just blokes playing their role.
“It’s probably more about us though and how we go about it and the way we want to play our footy is the key thing so if we can put that together, it’ll give us a good chance.”
