Last time they met - Round 18, 2011

Hawthorn 6.110.4 16.6 20.12 (132)
Melbourne 3.3 6.3 9.4 12.6 (78)

Best: Hawthorn - Sewell, Franklin, Mitchell, Hodge, Rioli, Bailey, Birchall. Melbourne - Green, Martin, Howe, Dunn, Jones.

The Hawks defeated the Demons in Round 18 after an impressive performance across four quarters, outscoring their opponents in each. Lance Franklin was the star, booting five goals while Brad Sewell (33 possessions) and Sam Mitchell (30) were prominent in the middle. Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust were also influiential up forward, kicking three goals each.

Looking ahead

While the Demons are yet to register a win this season, new coach Mark Neeld would have been impressed with his side’s effort against reigning premiers Geelong last week. Despite his side ultimately succumbing to the Cats by 43 points, the form of recruit Mitch Clark highlights the Demons’ upside.

Clark has booted 14 goals so far this season, including four against the Cats. It is not only his ability to kick goals, however, that make Clark such a damaging and difficult player to oppose. On his way to 4.2, Clark gathered 21 disposals and took eight marks, showcasing his athletic ability and prowess in the air. He averages two goals and 11 disposals per game.

He poses a match-up headache for the Hawks, given his running capacity and height, standing at 200cm and 99kgs. Defender Ryan Schoenmakers has been entrusted so far this season with taking on the opposition’s best forward, but given Clark’s unique playing style, Ben Stratton or Josh Gibson (if he passes a fitness test on Thursday) could be other defensive options for the Demon spearhead.

The ruck/rover combination of Mark Jamar and Brent Moloney is one of the Demons’ biggest strengths, and despite it not reaching the heights of last year so far, there is room for improvement. Jamar averages 38 hit outs per game, and with such a high number, it creates numerous opportunities for midfielders like Moloney and Nathan Jones to dominate at the clearances. Melbourne are one of the best sides in the compeition at winning the clearances, averaging 38 per match.

Jones has been one of Melbourne’s best this season, averaging 22 disposals, four clearances and four tackles per game. Importantly too, has been his ability to hit the scoreboard, and given the game’s evolution, goal-kicking midfielders are at a premium. Jones has booted seven goals in six matches, to average one per match.

The Demons are also one of the best rebounders in the competition, and turning defence into attack. With co-Captain Jack Grimes marshalling the defence and his ability to run and carry from half back important, Grimes is one of Melbourne’s most important players. Melbourne average 40 rebound 50s per game, and with the Hawks also one of the best, it poses an interesting battle on opposing half backlines.

Grimes averages four rebound 50s per match, and when combined with an average of 19 disposals per game, he’ll be one to watch for the Hawks coaching staff. He is also one of Melbourne’s best disposers of the football, with an efficiency rating of 71.4 per cent. His ability to link up with teammates makes restricting his time and space critical for the Hawks.

In order to do this, the Hawks’ forward pressure and ability to tackle to keep the ball in their forward half will be critical to the end result. The Hawks were able to strangle the Saints last week, particularly in the final term. Cyril Rioli (five tackles), David Hale (five tackles), Michael Osborne (three tackles), and Paul Puopolo (five tackles in one quarter of football) were the best and more effective in this area. That pressure led to the Hawks’ nine scoring shots to to four in the final term to run away with the 35-point victory.


Alastair Clarkson: "We've got to respect (their improvement) and make sure that the strengths that they've had in their game over the last three weeks don't come to the fore in the game tomorrow night. That's going to be a test, they're all good players and we've got to make sure that some of our good players step up and play some good footy too."


Sam Mitchell: “They’ve got a lot of young guys, guys like (James) Magner and (Jack) Trengove and these guys. They’re younger guys but they’re playing some solid footy so we’ve got a lot of respect for the way they go about their footy.”


Stephen Boakes on Facebook: “Their strength is the hard ball getting ability of Grimes, Maloney, Jones and (Colin) Sylvia who will be better for the run. (James) Frawley commands respect as he takes the number one forward each week, and Mitch Clark is dangerous up forward if the mid fielders manage to find space and deliver to him.”