After a winless start for both teams in Round 1, both Hawthorn and West Coast will view this game as a must win, given a 0-2 start to the year will place one side behind the eight ball.

For Hawthorn in particular, a win against the Eagles is crucial given its nightmare draw to start the season. The much publicised difficult opening two months for Hawthorn sees it take one each of last year’s finalists in the first seven weeks. That equation becomes even more difficult given it was defeated by Geelong in Round 1.

It’s a curious situation for the Eagles though, having been beaten by arch-rivals Fremantle in their opening match two weeks ago despite kicking the first three goals of the game.

Sunday afternoon’s match-up looms as one of the matches of the round and is expected to be played at a finals-like intensity as both teams are predicted to feature heavily at the pointy end of the season.

In fact, 2013 club captains believe Sunday’s clash at Paterson’s Stadium will be a preview of the 2013 Grand Final. Seven club captains selected both the Hawks and the Eagles to feature on the last Saturday in September.

The six day break

In a quirk in the fixture, the Hawks will travel to Perth to play the Eagles having had just six days to recover from the loss to Geelong and then prepare for the game.

Already this season we have seen clubs struggle to run out games, with many players succumbing to cramp in the second half, particularly in the final term. No doubt, Hawthorn’s fitness will be tested in the second half of Sunday’s game.

Midfielder Brad Sewell said the Club will have a lighter week on the track and instead, focus on recovery to ensure players are capable of playing two hours of football.

On the other side, the Eagles will enter Sunday’s match well rested, having 16 days between rounds 1 and 2. While there is undoubtedly a discrepancy there, there is one factor that many have overlooked when considering the Eagles’ preparation for the game.

While Hawthorn has had continuity in its football and its preparation for the game, the Eagles have had what can be described as a “stop, start” lead up. The Eagles played just three NAB Cup matches (most other teams played four), before having a break to prepare for Round 1 the week the NAB Cup Grand Final was played and 14 other sides played practice matches.

The Eagles then played Fremantle and lost, before having another week-long break before playing its Round 2 match.

Josh Kennedy and the Eagles’ forwards

Despite once again losing gun forward Mark LeCras to injury, West Coast power forward Josh Kennedy looms as the key player the Hawks need to shut down if they’re to defeat the Eagles on their home turf.

Kennedy was in blistering form in Round 1, with his contested and uncontested marking a real feature of his game.

The former Carlton forward kick-started the Eagles in the first quarter against the Dockers, kicking a goal himself and having a hand in two others.

He finished the game as West Coast’s best player and most dangerous forward with 19 possessions, eight marks and two goals.

Hawthorn recruit Brian Lake could stand Kennedy if he’s selected for the seniors, otherwise defenders Josh Gibson and Ryan Schoenmakers will have their work cut out for them and could possibly both spend time standing him given he can push up the ground and deep forward.

Despite being without LeCras for another four weeks, the Eagles’ forward line led by Kennedy remains dangerous, with a number of goal scoring options. The Eagles were the fifth-highest scoring team after 23 rounds last season and it has a number of weapons.

Jack Darling with be looking to make amends for a disappointing Round 1 performance, while  Josh Hill seems to play his best footy at home.

The Sam Mitchell factor

The gun midfielder began the season with a bang as he gathered 37 disposals in a losing side in Round 1. Mitchell played like a player who hadn’t just spent four months on the training track such was his awareness, skills with ball in hand and cleanliness with the footy under pressure.

Mitchell is often the player that gets the Hawks going in the midfield and given he’s one of the most consistent players in the AFL, he is will undoubtedly lead from the front once again.

With Daniel Kerr likely to miss for the Eagles, the Hawks could have the edge in the midfield battle despite both sides having great talent and weapons in the engine room.

In the middle

While Kerr is likely to resume in the WAFL, the Eagles still possess great depth of talent through the middle of the ground with Matt Priddis and Scott Selwood winning the hard ball.

If the Eagles win the contested possession and get the ball out to their runners, they are likely to open up and expose the Hawthorn backline as Geelong did in Round 1.

Runners such as Shannon Hurn, Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey and Andrew Embley can then hurt the Hawks with their spread by using the wings of Patersons Stadium.

The Hawks pose just as big a threat if Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell and Mitchell get on top in the middle. Wingman Bradley showed against Geelong how damaging he can be on the spread and if Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli find space, the Hawks could be on their way to its first win of the season.

Key players

Hawthorn -  

Lance Franklin: Franklin was well held by Tom Lonergan in Round 1 and will be looking to bounce back this week. The Eagles will be without key defender Eric Mackenzie who stood Franklin in both matches between the sides last year. Captain Darren Glass could be given the job by John Worsfold.

Bradley Hill: The Hawks have been criticised this week for their lack of run through the middle and, on the wide open spaces of Patersons Stadium, Hill looms as a key player for the Hawks. Hill was best on ground in the opening half of the game against Geelong with his leg speed and skills by foot a real weapon for the Hawks. If he can maintain that level of play for four quarters, he could emerge as a rising star of the competition.

Liam Shiels: An underrated player in a side that has a number of stars, Shiels is a quiet achiever who goes about his business without much fanfare. When Shiels plays well and performs his role either as a ball winner or a defensive midfielder, the Hawks generally win. He could be thrown a defensive role by Alastair Clarkson on a player like Shannon Hurn.

West Coast –

Darren Glass: If ever anyone doubted the importance of Glass to the Eagles, then they should re-watch its Round 1 match against Fremantle. On a number of occasions, Glass single-handedly prevented a Fremantle goal such is his competitive instinct and his refusal to accept defeat. If he’s given the job on Franklin, the Hawks forward will be forced to earn every kick he gets.

Andrew Embley: Despite starting as the substitute in Round 1, Embley remains one of West Coast’s most dangerous midfield weapons when he’s given space to run. At Patersons Stadium in particular, Embley has no trouble finding space to run and carry and deliver to his forwards. If he’s allowed time and space on Sunday, expect Josh Kennedy to take a number of marks on his chest.

Beau Waters: One of the hardest and toughest players in the league, Waters is crucial to West Coast’s defence. He impacts marking contests when other would give up, he tackles hard, he puts his body on the line and he can win the footy. He can provide run off half back because he is versatile. He can defend just as well as he can attack and dish to teammates. A key player in the Eagles’ structure who often provides motivation for teammates.