Jolly, a two-time premiership ruckman is considered one of the best “body on body” ruckman in the game, and poses a threat to the Hawks’ aim of earning a berth in a preliminary final at the MCG tonight.
While Hale was complimentary of Jolly’s undoubted rucking ability, he believe he and ruck partner Jarryd Roughead have what it takes to nullify the Magpie big man.
“It'll be interesting, obviously Jolly's been around a long time, he’s a premiership player and he's a big task,” Hale told hawthornfc.com.au
“Every week in the ruck we come up against someone who's pretty capable in the area so it’s another good test for Rough and I.
“Coming up against Mumford the week before and ‘Nic Nat's’ got a few tricks that not many other ruckman have got and Cox is probably still the number one ruckman in the competition.
“It was a good challenge and a good base for us to learn and we did alright.”
Arguably the biggest strength of the Hawthorn ruck duo is its ability for both Hale and Roughead to push forward.
So far this season, Hale and Roughead have been valuable contributors for the Hawks, booting 60 goals between them (Roughead 40, Hale 20).
The 201cm ruckman believes the ability to kick goals is an invaluable asset while the pair are still earning the caper.
“Having that ability for Rough and I to go forward and kick goals and do our bit around the ground has been good for both of us,” Hale said.
“We've played some good footy but it's something that we're still learning even now so hopefully we can keep doing our role.
“Early on in the year we were probably thrown together a bit Rough and I, obviously not having rucked a lot.
“Working with Monkey (ruck coach Damian Monkhorst) each week and trying to learn and get advice from him has been a slow process.
“Each week we've have got a bit better and gelled together the last six to eight weeks - we've played some good footy but it's something that we're still learning.”
Part of the learning experience has been the pari’s ability to forge a connection with a midfield group littered with hard, contested balling winning players - particularly Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell.
Hale says extra work at training has paid off, as the Hawks are ranked equal first in the competition for clearances.
Despite the ranking though, Hale admits the Hawks can get better.
“Working with Mitchell and Sewell, doing a little bit extra with those guys after training gives them a good feel of where we can put the ball,” he said.
“It’s probably taken until the last few weeks to get going but if we can keep that up it helps us win the clearances and the midfield battle which is a key to the game.
“It’s still a work in progress but it’s getting there slowly.”
Kate Salemme is a member of Hawthorn Football Club’s Digital media team reporting exclusively for hawthornfc.com.au from the Ricoh Centre.
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