The wait is over. Round 7 is here and Hawthorn will take on Sydney in the Grand Final re-match at the MCG on Saturday night.

It’s the game we’ve been waiting for.

The form line

Hawthorn is entering Saturday night’s re-match in a position it may not have expected, having won its past five matches against quality opposition.

The Hawks have almost turned their nose up at the start from hell to the 2013 season, facing each of last year’s finalists in the opening seven rounds.

Now, Alastair Clarkson’s team is in the final leg of the challenging seven week block that has tested the mettle of Hawthorn and their hunger to regroup and chase September glory after coming so close last season.

After being defeated by Geelong in Round 1, the Hawks won the next five against West Coast, Collingwood, Fremantle, North Melbourne and Adelaide.

If winning form is good form, then Hawthorn couldn’t be placed any better as it sits on five wins, one loss and in fifth position on the ladder – equal in point with Sydney and Port Adelaide.

Similarly, Sydney has enjoyed a smooth start to their premiership defence underlining their status as still, the team to beat.

The Swans eased into season 2013 with solid wins over expansion clubs Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast before being tested for three quarters against North Melbourne in Round 3.

John Longmire’s men sent a reminder to the rest of the competition with a powerful 11-goal third quarter to blow the Kangaroos out of the water.  

Aside from a hiccup against the unbeaten Cats on home soil in Round 4, the Swans are primed to take on the Hawks in a blockbuster re-match sure to attract more than 60,000 fans to the home of football.

What’s up with Buddy?

For only the second time in his illustrious career, the Hawthorn champion has been held goalless in his last two matches.

The last time he failed to register a goal in successive weeks was in his debut season, 2005.

It has been a talking point since it hit the papers in February, but the Franklin camp poured cold water on speculation the contract saga is affecting Franklin’s on field performance.

Hawthorn defender Brian Lake too, refuted claims the contract was a distraction for his spearhead, revealing there is more to Lance Franklin than his goals tally.

Franklin was held goalless in Round 5 by North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson and again last week by Adelaide’s Daniel Talia, but Lake says Franklin’s value to the Hawks reaches further than his ability to hit the score board.

“He's still playing his role," Lake said on Monday.

"He's bringing the ball to ground, and other guys in the forward line are contributing as well.

"Obviously for him personally, he'd like to be kicking goals, but what he's doing for the side now is he's doing his role."

The last time Franklin copped this much criticism from the media was last season, when his inaccuracy in front of goal was a talking point.

His coach, Alastair Clarkson publicly backed his star forward, declaring it was only a matter of time before Franklin turned his form in front of goals around.

“He’s going through a stretch at the moment that’s a little bit rough for him in terms of his goalkicking conversion,” Clarkson said.

“I still feel like it’s only a quarter away or a game away from him just tearing a game apart.”

What happened the day after Clarkson made those comments at Melbourne Airport before Hawthorn flew to Tasmania to take on North Melbourne?

Franklin kicked 13 goals in one of the best individual games ever seen.

The Sydney midfield

It has undoubtedly been Sydney’s biggest strength since 2003, when it was just beaten by Brisbane in the Preliminary Final, but has the Swans’ midfield ever been this good?

From Josh Kennedy to Ryan O’Keefe to Kieran Jack to Daniel Hannebery to Lewis Jetta, the Swans have a number of weapons capable of tearing a game apart from week to week.

The Swans engine is nothing if it’s not consistent, and their fans know exactly what they’ll get from the midfield each week.

It is no surprise Sydney is ranked number one in the competition for contested possessions, it has always been the area in which it has pride itself on.

Kennedy and O’Keefe are ranked two and three in the league for contested possessions, averaging 16.7 and 15.5 per game.

They are also ranked fourth and fifth respectively for clearances, separated by only 0.5 per game. Kennedy averages 7 and O’Keefe 6.5.

What is unique about the Sydney midfield though, is that it can combine its hard ball winning ability with polish on the spread.

Nick Malceski, Hannebery and Jack are the best at it, the top three ranked Swans for uncontested possessions. Adding to that power, is that when these three get the ball, they rarely turn it over – they all average above 70 for disposal efficiency in 2013.

Can the Hawks match it with them?

The midfield battle on Saturday will be one of the most intriguing battles given it will be star versus star versus star.

Sam Mitchell has been spending time across half back for the Hawks this season, but Alastair Clarkson might need to throw his star midfielder and clearance specialist into the centre against a powerful Sydney engine room.

Mitchell is Hawthorn’s number one clearance player – averaging 4.5 per game.

He is also the number one contested ball winner, averaging 10.8 per game.

Such is the depth of talent at Clarkson’s fingertips though, the Hawks have the depth of talent to match it with Sydney’s midfield.

Captain Luke Hodge has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and played in the midfield against Adelaide. He was one of Hawthorn’s best, gathering 29 disposals.

Shaun Burgoyne too, could be called upon to spend more time in the middle with his ability to win the ball at the stoppages integral to Hawthorn’s ability to register its sixth win in a row.

Burgoyne is ranked second at the Club for clearances (4) while Brad Sewell is ranked third (3.7).

Scoring power

Whichever team wins the midfield battle gives its forwards the best chance to score, and if that team is Hawthorn, then the Swans could be headed to their second defeat of the season.

Hawthorn has the second best forward line in the competition by the numbers, having kicked an average of 17 goals in its six matches so far.

It has a number of weapons in its forward line, and that has been best illustrated by its ability to win games against quality opposition despite Lance Franklin failing to kick a goal.

Last week it was Jack Gunston who did the most damage with three goals, and the week before it was Cyril Rioli with four. Of course though, Rioli won’t be there on Saturday night due to a hamstring injury.

That won’t bother the Hawks though, given it has Luke Breust and Jarryd Roughead still in the team.

Breust and Roughead are ranked second and third at the Club on the goal kicking leaderboard, having kicked 13 and 12 goals respectively so far this season.

With Rhyce Shaw out with injury, Swans defender Nick Smith is likely to find his way onto Breust who has the ability to impact the scoreboard quickly.

Ted Richards will most likely stand Franklin, meaning Heath Grundy will get Roughead.

For the Swans, it’s Jude Bolton and Jarryd McVeight leading the way with 12 each and Ben McGlynn with 10.

So who has the edge?

When looking at the players who have had the most impact on the scoreboard for both sides, it seems if the Hawthorn midfield can pressure the quality of ball coming into the Sydney forward line, the Hawks could be on their way to avenging the Grand Final defeat.

Brian Lake is likely to be given the job on Sam Reid, while Josh Gibson will stand the resting ruckman and/or rotate off Adam Goodes.

Does the game come down to the ability of Hawthorn’s forward line to fire?

Key players

Hawthorn –

Bradley Hill: With Cyril Rioli out of the side, Hill was the player who stepped up to fill the void left by his childhood idol. Hill gathered 17 disposals and kicked two goals last week to win himself a Rising Star nomination. He has great endurance and his speed is valuable, but it his elite skills that make him a dangerous player.

Grant Birchall: Birchall has been well held the past two weeks, but the Hawks will be looking forward to their running half back bouncing back and providing run and carry out of defensive 50. Particularly against the congested Sydney style of football, players like Birchall are critical.

Jordan Lewis: Sometimes he’s a player who slides under the radar, but Lewis is a crucial player in Hawthorn’s set up and is particularly valuable when taking on a side like Sydney. With a number of Sydney players priding themselves on their ability to win the hard ball, Lewis will enjoy the challenge of getting his hands dirty and beating the best at their own game.

Sydney –

Shane Mumford: He is a powerful figure and if Mumford can give his midfielders first use of the ball, the Sydney midfield could dominate in the middle. Josh Kennedy and Ryan O’Keefe are clearance kings and have a great relationship with their ruckman. His ability too, to push forward and kick goals will help the Swans win.

Nick Smith: He’s a gritty back pocket player who fronts up week in, week out and performs his role with little fanfare. There is no doubt though, the small defender is one of the first picked at Sydney, given he is aggressive at the man and the ball and can even provide run off half back. He is a shutdown specialist.

Lewis Jetta: he has had a quiet start to the season, but Jetta hit form in Sydney’s win over Brisbane at the weekend. His run and carry is pivotal, and his electrifying pace is a game breaker. He is Sydney’s Cyril Rioli.