AS Hawthorn prepares to take on Collingwood, Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton says the team is focused on outhunting the Pies on Sunday at the MCG.
Both Hawthorn and Collingwood are renowned for their ability to win the contested ball and attack their opponents with ferocity, ingredients that set the stage for a classic encounter between the two sides.
The Hawks have so far this season been more successful in winning the contested ball, ranked third in the competition compared to the Pies who are the seventh best side in the league.
Speaking to hawthornfc.com.au before the match, Bolton said given the evenness of the two sides, it will be the team that wins the hunt that will prevail, and that’s where Hawthorn’s focus lies.
“We want hunt, we want to set a standard early,” he said.
“It’s an easy stat to look at but the contested possession is really important through the midfield and the team that, as simple as it is, works the hardest will get on top.
“It’s just about the first bounce and the first five minutes with our team, it’s about being able to maintain it.
“When you’ve got two really evenly matched sides, the team that can stay to their system the longest (that will win).”
Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury are two of the most dangerous players in the Pies' midfield, with the ability to impact the contest all over the ground, not just in the midfield.
Bolton says the Hawks won't rely on shutting down the pair, but rather the Hawks winning the ball themselves.
He believes if the Hawthorn midfielders can win the hunt, the influence of Swan and Pendlebury on the game won’t be detrimental to the Hawthorn cause.
“I don’t think you need to combat them (Swan and Pendlebury) with individuals, it’s just the team that wins the hunt,” Bolton said.
“In terms of limiting their midfield, it’s going to be about contested possession and work rate.
“That says a lot about your mindset and whether or not you’re ready for the contest and our guys usually are.”
One aspect in particular the Hawks have identified as a strength of Collingwood’s is their ability to capitalise on momentum when it’s established.
Collingwood kicked seven of the last 10 goals to run over the top of Carlton last weekend on their way to a gutsy win over their arch rival.
Bolton says it will be important for both sides to capitalise on the momentum and defend well when the opposition wrestles it back.
“The real key to it is being able to limit their momentum when they do get those run ons and really capitalise on ours when we get our run ons,” he said.
“Both teams are experienced, both teams have got some good depth so it’s important that when they do get the momentum they capitalse and when the other team starts to get some, they can recognise that quickly. “
Ryan Schoenmakers looks set to continue his on-going battle against Travis Cloke after recruit Brian Lake wasn’t selected in the side to take on Collingwood on Sunday.
Bolton revealed though, it could be a combination of the Hawks’ two key defenders in Schoenmakers and Josh Gibson who tackle the Pies' big man.
“Now it’s all about team defence and we have a number of players who can play on him, but Schoenmakers has in the past, Gibson can as well. It could be a combination of the two,” he said.
