The form line – Hawthorn

The Hawks endured a tough contest against the Bulldogs in Tasmania last weekend, a game that was played mostly in the clinches with the Bulldogs one of the best contested footy teams in the league.

Without star forward Lance Franklin once again, the Hawks managed to come away with a solid 19-point victory with Jarryd Roughead again proving the focal point up forward with three goals.

Hawthorn showed the same pressure and intensity in the first term as it did against the Power, but that seemed to drop away a little bit in the next three quarters.

The Hawks iced the game with four quick goals in eight minutes and cruised to victory in an uneventful final term.

No doubt, an eye was cast to the blockbuster against the Bombers on Friday night and ensuring all players prepare and recover well for the top-of-the-table clash.

The form line – Essendon

The Bombers have overcome a season overshadowed by speculation and drama to emerge as a genuine threat for the 2013 premiership.

Under the tutelage of club great James Hird, Essendon has developed and nurtured the undoubted talent it had on its list into genuine A-grade AFL players and players who perform their role week in, week out for the team.

The Bombers took the opportunity last week to rest two key players – Tayte Pears and Jason Winderlich against the Giants and cruised to victory over the winless expansion club.

A loss to Geelong has seen Essendon somewhat sneak to second position on the ladder, but there’s been nothing quiet about their game play this year.

Essendon win the hard ball, and they’re devastating on the outside with their explosive pace and has used both of those characteristics in each game.

They have probably had their eye on the Hawks for the past two weeks, having played Western Bulldogs in Round 16 and the Giants last week – having not played at their best in either of those.

They’re ready for the challenge.

The rivalry

It all began in 1983, when Hawthorn played Essendon in the Grand Final. It was a hard, tough contest and such was the way football was played in those days, players being hit hard both around the footy and off it.

The Hawks won the premiership by what was then a record-breaking margin of 83 points before succumbing to the Bombers in the next two Grand Finals in 1984 and 1985.

In each of those games, both sides – players, coaches, administrators and fans connected with the respective clubs developed almost a hatred for the other. Amidst that though, there was also a healthy respect for the history and achievement of each.

The rivalry came to a roaring comeback in 2004 with the infamous line in the sand game and has continued ever since.

There are the incidents between Matthew Lloyd and Campbell Brown but also genuine tough contests between players playing hard, but fair.

In 2009, the Bombers knocked the Hawks out of finals contention in the final round of that season and there have been countless other clashes, almost too many to name that reflect the rivalry between the two sides.

On Friday night, the rivalry resumes in one of the biggest ever matches between the two clubs.

First versus second.  

It’s a game not to be missed if not for the sheer passion that will be on display from both sides, for a number of reasons.

Essendon’s pace

The way Essendon seems to hurt most sides is with their explosive pace across all lines.

In terms of sheer leg speed, the Bombers are probably one of the quickest, if not the quickest in the AFL.

From David Zaharakis, Courtenay Dempsey, Jason Winderlich and Stewart Crameri to even players like Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton who are by no means slouches when it comes to providing run.

It thus, comes as no surprise that the Bombers are one of the best teams in the league at releasing players into space – ranked number two for uncontested possessions with an average of 233.1 per game (Hawthorn is ranked third with 224).

That pace could expose the Hawks on Friday night on the fast track at Etihad Stadium if Hawthorn allows the Bombers too much space.

Making matters even more difficult, however, is the fact the bombers rarely go back behind the mark – they play on at all costs.

Each player is told to move the ball at all costs and when a player in red and black marks, they automatically looks for an overlap handpass or to kick long to a one-on-one inside forward 50.

The key for Hawthorn, then

Alastair Clarkson and his team of coaches would know the ins and outs of the way Essendon like to play and no doubt at the forefront of its tactics for Friday night would be to force the Bombers to go back behind the mark and kick long to a contest along the boundary.

In order to do that, the Hawks would need to apply manic pressure, beginning from the forward line to reduce space and force turnovers.

The Bombers love to play the “slingshot” counterattack from half back and their leg speed and elite skills allow them to do it well.

Of the sides currently in the top eight, Essendon is ranked third for rebound 50s – the way they love to build their offence.

That means each of Hawthorn’s forward will need to be on their toes – including the talls (Jarryd Roughead, Lance Franklin and Jack Gunston) and the midfielders will need to push up to apply the “second line” of pressure to force the turnover.

That doesn’t matter if…

Hawthorn’s forward line and midfield fire.

When Hawthorn is on top in the midfield, there is little opposition teams can do to stop it from kicking a big score such is the weaponry up forward.

Led by Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Jordan Lewis who is hitting form, the Hawks enter their forward 50, on average, 57 times a game and score on average, on 30 occasions.

That is a better than 50 per cent chance of a score.

The Hawks have a number of marking options, with Roughead, Franklin, Gunston and David Hale all capable of taking big marks, while Luke Breust is also known for his ability to present as a lead-up target.

Hawthorn marks the ball inside 50 more often than any other team (an average of 14.8 per game) and if they convert those marks into goals, Essendon’s ability to “slingshot” from half back won’t be a problem because simply, they won’t have the opportunity to do so.

By the numbers

The key area Hawthorn has the edge is in its options up forward. While Hawthorn is ranked number one for marks inside 50, the Bombers are ranked 10^th with an average of 11.9 per game.

The Bombers actually rely heavily on their midfielders to kick goals, rather than their power forwards to score. Michael Hurley hasn’t been as effective as a full forward this year and Stewart Crameri is the leading goal kicker with 28, but again hasn’t had the same impact as seasons previous.

Of its regular players who play exclusively as forwards, only Crameri, Hurley and Alwyn Davey feature in the top 10 goal kickers at the club this season.

The Hawks are ranked second for centre clearances in the competition, but the Bombers are hot on their heels at third. The difference between the two on average is just 0.4.

Essendon average more inside 50, ranked second but again, the difference between the two is small, with the Hawks at third only 0.8 on average behind.

Hawthorn has kicked more goals this season, with an average of 17.3 goals per game – the most of any side. Essendon average 15.8 per game to be ranked third. Hawthorn has, however, kicked 24 more goals than the Bombers this season.

The Hawks have the edge in the contested ball, but the Bombers win more of the footy overall than the Hawks, ranked number one in the league for possessions with an average of 382.7 per game. Hawthorn’s average is 371.9.

Key players

Hawthorn –

Isaac Smith: The speedster is in good form for the Hawks and his line-breaking ability will be crucial against an Essendon side that love to apply pressure. When Hawthorn’s run was restricted against the Dogs, Smith was the one still able to break through and deliver inside 50. He is one Hawk with genuine leg speed and on the fast track at Etihad Stadium, will be important for the Hawks if they’re to win the game. Might find himself on a David Zaharakis (if he plays) at various stages on the wing.

Essendon –

Jake Carlisle: Carlisle is one of the most improved players in the competition, with his ability to turn a game playing both in defence and up forward invaluable to his team. He will get the job on Lance Franklin most likely if he plays, and he’s almost the perfect match up for the Hawks star. He is athletic, so he can match him with pace and ability at ground level and is good in the air, able to break even with Franklin in marking contests.