The form line – Hawthorn

The Hawks are now one game clear on top of the AFL ladder and have started the second half of the season in the same manner it finished the first. They've won nine games in a row between rounds two and 10, and have won its two matches after the Round 11 bye.

Hawthorn’s most recent win against West Coast last Friday night was impressive, with Alastair Clarkson’s side overcoming  an Eagles side playing arguably its best game for the year.

The Hawks managed to defeat the Eagles despite winning less of the ball and being down on its usual number for disposals efficiency, inside 50s and uncontested possessions.

But, it’s testament to the ladder-leaders, able to secure a victory when it had largely been beaten at its own game by its opposition.

The Hawthorn forwards are in hot form, particularly Jarryd Roughead who booted another five goals last weeks to now be his side’s leading goal kicker.

The form line – Brisbane

 Brisbane won the unwinnable game last week, defeating Geelong by 5 points after trailing by 52 in the third quarter. Comebacks like that simply don’t happen against the Cats, who have been a powerful force for the past six years.

So, what does that mean for the Lions?

After battling through a patch were they were hit hard by injuries and suspension, the Lions are now on the other side of that, having regained star players into its 22 and are reaping the rewards.

The win against Geelong has re-instated the belief amongst both the playing group and the coaches, that they’re on the right path and can match it with the league’s best sides.

The challenge this week though, isn’t the belief because they certainly have that - it’s the ability for the youngsters to show maturity, to enjoy the incredible win and still prepare diligently for Sunday’s match.

Hawthorn’s scoring power

Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust and Jack Gunston – four players who can’t be stopped for four quarters.

The Hawks have quietly, over the years built one of the most potent forward lines the competition has seen, one that seems to be getting more powerful by the week.

Last week, it was Roughead and Gunston who starred with five goals each, as Breust and Franklin chipped in with three and two goals respectively.

Each of the four are versatile – they can play in a variety of roles and in any given game, none of the quartet play exclusively inside the forward 50.

On Friday night, Gunston played on the wing, Roughead and Franklin pushed up into the midfield and high half forward and Breust too, is adding to the Club’s midfield depth.

They are four weapons who fire week to week and they are in ref-hot form heading into Sunday’s clash against the Lions.

The Hawks average 110 point per game – that’s more than any other side this season and the quartet occupy the top four places on the Club’s goal kicking leader board having all booted 20 or more goals this season.

That is the best spread of goals amongst forwards and all players across all clubs in the AFL this season.

Can the Lions defence stop them?

In its glory years of 2001-2004, Brisbane had one of the best defensive groups of all time. They were big, strong, intimidating players capable of stopping the best forwards at any time and any place.

The modern day Brisbane, however, isn’t as blessed - there’s no Mal Michel or Justin Leppitsch and there’s no Chris or Brad Scott.

Today, the Lions rely on Daniel Merrett and Joel Patfull to stop the best forwards in the game.

Merrett has the size and talent to take on a Roughead or Franklin, but the question is whether or not Patfull, last year’s Lions best and fairest winner has what it takes to nullify either of the pair.

Then, who’s left to tackle Gunston and David Hale when they push forward?

The Lions have this year conceded 1,225 points in 13 games, an average of 94.23 points per game. It is the fourth-worst record in the competition.

Only Melbourne, GWS and Western Bulldogs have conceded more scores this season.

If the Lions win the midfield battle

The Lions’ back six conceded 88 points in three quarters last week against Geelong – but conceded just 10 points in the last quarter on the back of the dominance it had in the midfield in the final term.

If Brisbane can win the centre clearances, its backline won’t be under siege. It has the talent to do so, having matched it with one of the best midfields in Geelong last week.

It has the talent – with Simon Black, Tom Rockliff, Daniel Rich and Jack Redden all capable of winning their fair share of the footy.

Both Black and Rich have battled injury this season, and the clearance stats reflect that, as the Lions sit 14^th for centre clearances and 15^th for clearances in general.

The backline will also be heavily reliant on its midfielders applying pressure to Hawthorn’s ball carriers, meaning it will need to implement a team defence that begins in the forward line.

Carlton’s forward pressure troubled the Hawks and without Grant Birchall and Matt Suckling – two of the best half backs in the competition, it could be an area the Lions can target.

If Hawthorn wins it

If the Hawks win the midfield battle on Sunday, then the Lions could be in for a long day. The Hawks don’t waste the footy when they get it – they’re the best at hitting a teammate in the competition, averaging 73.2 per cent for disposal efficiency this year.

The Hawks are also ranked third in the competition for forward 50 entries – averaging 57 entries per game (just one less than leaders, Essendon).

Hawthorn are also one of the best teams at releasing players into space, ranked fourth in the league for uncontested possessions (two possessions behind Essendon in first place) – so if the Lions aren’t applying pressure and closing down space, the Hawks will hurt them going forward.

If the Lions allow too much time and space, the forwards will have a field day and the midfielders will hit the lead-up target.

Key players

Hawthorn –

Ben Stratton: With Grant Birchall out for 4-6 weeks and Matt Suckling not to return this season, the Hawks will be looking for a player to step up and fill the void left by the pair. Birchall is Hawthorn’s best rebounding defender, and Stratton has improved in this area. His defensive game has gone to the next level; can he do the same with his offense?

Jack Gunston: With Roughead and Franklin to get the Lions’ best two defenders, it’s Gunston’s job to make himself as dangerous as he can so the Hawks aren’t too predictable. He is in good form and had his best game for the year last week, kicking five goals and gathering 17 disposals. If he’s firing, the Hawks are in a good position.

Jordan Lewis: Sometimes, the work of Jordan Lewis goes unnoticed. While all the fanfare is for a player like Sam Mitchell, Lewis flies under the radar, though his importance to Alastair Clarkson and the Hawks is unmeasurable. He is his team’s number one clearance player this season, and his aggression at the man and ball sets the tone for the Hawks. His leadership too is important.

Brisbane –

Jed Adcock: The Lions co-captain’s line-breaking ability will be needed on Sunday. He can play both in defence and in the midfield, and too can push forward and hit the scoreboard. He is a versatile player with great leadership, skills and the courage to put his body on the line. He will need to provide as much run as he can on Sunday.

Jonathan Brown: No games are won without having a powerful target up forward and Jonathan Brown has shown in patches this season that he can still take a game by the scruff of the neck. Brian Lake will most likely get the job, so Brown will need to get on his bike and be a lead-up target as well as throwing his body into packs in vintage Brown style. He also still, one of the best kicks at goal so when he gets chances, he won’t let his team down.

Ash McGrath: McGrath’s value to Brisbane is on two levels – goals and pressure. He has the ability to be a multiple goal kickers because he can take a mark and kick the impossible and he showed that against the Cats. What Michael Voss will be looking for from him on Sunday though, is the ability to apply forward pressure and force turnovers which he could then turn into goals off his own boot or the boot of a teammate.