The formline - Hawthorn
The Hawks couldn’t be any better placed as it enters the second phase of its season, after emerging from its opening seven weeks with six wins and one loss.It was described as the “start from hell”, but it has been anything but for Hawthorn, who have won its past six against top eight sides from last season.
After two sluggish weeks in which it didn’t play its best football against North Melbourne and Adelaide, the Hawks returned to form last Saturday night when it accounted for reigning premiers, Sydney.
The Hawks outplayed, outhunted and outpressured its 2012 Grand Final nemesis in one of its best performances of the season.
To defeat the Swans is no easy feat, and to do it by six goals is even more impressive.
The Hawks are in third place on the AFL ladder by percentage only, and could extend its winning streak to nine with Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast and Melbourne its opponents in the next three weeks.
Alastair Clarkson would be delighted if his side entered its Round 11 bye with nine wins and one loss.
The formline – Greater Western Sydney
The formline isn’t as good for the Giants, coming off a whopping 135 point loss at the hands of Adelaide last weekend.The heavy loss though, could be an aberration given it was competitive for three quarters against a rampant Essendon in Round 6.
The Giants ventured to Etihad Stadium to take on a red hot Essendon coming off a thumping win over Collingwood on ANZAC Day.
The Giants burst out of the blocks against the Bombers with a five goal to one opening term and, took a 21 point lead into the long break.
It was on the back of a brilliant display from forward Jeremy Cameron who provided a great target up forward, while Tom Scully was excellent in the midfield and Tim Mohr provided great run and carry off half back.
The Giants have also shown they can trouble sides with their pace and quick ball movement through the midfield.
They troubled Melbourne for three quarters on the MCG with their run and carry, but it was their foot skills at times which let them down.
It seems Kevin Sheedy’s troops though, enjoy the challenge of facing the competition’s best sides, having also pushed Sydney in Round 1.
He will be looking for a similar and more sustained effort from his players against the Hawks on Saturday.
Hawthorn’s forward line
It is one of the best and more powerful in terms of scoring options in the competition, and the Hawks forwards showed why on Saturday night against Sydney.Against one of the best defensive groups in the league, Hawthorn’s talls showed why they are one of the best combinations in the competition by booting 13 of the team’s 18 goals on Saturday night.
Jarryd Roughead was the star with four, while Lance Franklin, Jack Gunston and David Hale all booted three each.
The problem for the Giants this weekend, is it will take on a Hawthorn forward line brimming with confidence without its number one key back, Phil Davis.
Out with a back injury, Davis would have most likely lined up on Franklin, and could switch between any one of the quartet who is proving the match winner.
That’s what makes Hawthorn’s forward line so dangerous, if one is being well held, another player will step up and kick the goals. And, given their size – all well above 190cms and as good in the air as they are on the ground, there is nothing one dimensional about the Hawthorn forward set up.
The young Giants backline with have its work cut out for them because even if they can somehow control each of the four, no doubt Luke Breust and Paul Puopolo will get their hands on the footy and convert.
Such is the weapons the Hawks have at their disposal, it’s near impossible to contain them all.
The Giants’ midfield
One place the Giants can compete and compete well against the Hawks is in the midfield.Led by co-Captain Callan Ward, the GWS midfield is brimming with young talent who have the foot speed to challenge the Hawks.
The Hawks have already been questioned about their perceived lack of pace through the middle this season, after it was exposed for leg speed against Geelong in Round 1.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the ladder, the Giants have nowhere near the worst midfields in the league according to the key stats.
They are ranked 12th for clearances (Hawthorn 6th), 12th for uncontested possessions (Hawthorn 6th) and equal third for centre clearances (Hawthorn 1st).
Ward averages the most disposals with 24, followed by impressive youngsters Adam Treloar (23.3), Dylan Shiel (20.7) and Toby Greene (20.6).
Each of those has the potential to hurt their opposition when given the chance. They were first round draft picks for a reason and they have been developing nicely under Kevin Sheedy and his team.
The challenge for Hawthorn
When you’re one of the top teams in the competition, it is easy to get comfortable, to think you’re travelling that well that the wins will just come.But that’s not the case, each game in the modern era of AFL takes hard work given if you’re 10 per cent off your best, the opposition will make you pay.
That is the challenge for Hawthorn on Saturday.
It sits third on the ladder, 6-1 and heading for another big win. It can’t get complacent.
That’s where leadership comes into it.
Captain Luke Hodge and the leadership group at Hawthorn will play a pivotal role in the mindset and aggression shown by the Hawks on Saturday.
They know if their commitment and intent to win the ball is off, then there is every chance they will be pushed to the brink by a young and enthusiastic GWS.
Expect the Hawks to ensure it wins all the key indicators from contested possessions, uncontested possessions, clearances, tackles and inside 50s.
The Hawks, statistically, actually haven’t been as good this season at laying tackles as it has been in seasons previous. It is ranked 10th in the league for tackles, something Alastair Clarkson will be looking to improve in the coming weeks.
Key players
Hawthorn –Bradley Hill: Facing a younger opponent, expect to see Alastair Clarkson give his youngsters more opportunity to shine. Hill spends most of his time playing on a wing, he could be given more of a role through the centre square to add to Hawthorn’s depth through that area. He has already impressed this season against quality opposition, he’ll be hoping to further impress against younger, less seasoned bodies.
Jonathan Simpkin: He has played as the sub in his first two matches with the Hawks, let’s hope he is given the chance to show why he was recruited to the club by playing four quarters. A hard at it midfielder who can kick goals, Simpkin will be keen to impress across four quarters if given the chance.
Taylor Duryea: It has been a long time coming for Duryea, but he has finally been given his chance at Hawthorn and he’s making the most of it. He has slotted in nicely into the Hawthorn defence and has shown he has great skills when he gets the ball. He’ll be looking to further push his case as a senior regular in the second half of the season.
GWS –
Jeremy Cameron: With Jonathon Patton out for the rest of the season, Cameron is the spearhead of the Giants’ forward line and he’ll face a big test this weekend. He’ll be up against either Josh Gibson or Brian Lake, two seasoned defenders who rarely get beaten one on one. He’ll be looking forward to the challenge.
Callan Ward: Ward has excelled in his role at his new club and taken his game to a new level this season. He wins the ball in contested situations and rarely wastes it when he gets it in space. He is their leader in the middle and youngsters feed off his aggression and commitment to winning the football. Expect him to be in everything from the first bounce.
Tom Scully: He has copped a lot of criticism since joining the Giants with his inability to find the football, so Kevin Sheedy has, at times, cast Scully in the role of a tagger. He could find his way onto a Sam Mitchell across half forward if the Hawks gun continues in his new role of playing across half back.
