HAWKS selectors have stood firm and selected an unnamedline-up for its first semi-final clash against recent nemesis the Kangaroos at the MCG on Saturday.
For the second week in succession, Hawthorn has made nochange to its starting 22, with midfield stars Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell andChance Bateman cleared of injuries for the big match.
Michael Osborne, Joel Smith, Simon Taylor and Clinton Younghave been named on the interchange bench, while Travis Tuck, Ben McGlynn andTom Murphy are the unlucky emergencies.
After their exciting last-gasp victory against Adelaide last week, theHawks will be determined to erase memories of recent poor outings against the Roos.
The Kangas have won six of their past eight matches againstHawthorn since 2004, with both clubs sharing the honours this season.
The Hawks were embarrassed in round 17 in Launceston whenthe Kangas sprinted away to a 37-point victory.
However, the MCG is a happier hunting ground for the Hawks,who have won six of their eight matches there in 2007 and not lost a game atthe venue since round 11 against the Swans.
The Kangaroos hada horrible match last week, playing their worst game for the season in their106-point defeat to flag favourites Geelong.
No doubt, Dean Laidley will have something in store for theHawks. He has made two changes to the Roos’ team. He has recalled versatile key-positionplayer Lachlan Hansen and Ed Lower, who was named among North Ballarat’s bestplayer in their triumph against Sandringhamlast week in the VFL. Forward Corey Jones is out with a foot injury and LeighBrown omitted.
A crowd of more than60,000 is expected at the MCG on Saturday night, with the winner advancing to apreliminary final against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.
Team
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Campbell Brown
HB: Grant Birchall, Trent Croad,Rick Ladson
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell,Richie Vandenberg
HF: Chance Bateman, Tim Boyle, BenDixon
F: Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead,Luke Hodge
FOLL: Robert Campbell, Brad Sewell,Shane Crawford
I/C: Michael Osborne, Joel Smith,Simon Taylor, Clinton Young
EMG: Travis Tuck, Ben McGlynn, TomMurphy
The views in this story are those of the author and notnecessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
