It’s August, and there is a big month of footy ahead for the Hawthorn Hawks.
With 30 days left in the home and away season, it is make-or-break time for those looking to enter the eight. Despite all odds, Hawthorn counts themselves among those clubs. Regardless of the outcome, it has been a huge year for Hawthorn; one that will help define a new era for the club.
In Round 21, the Hawks are hitting the road once more, heading north to Manuka Oval for a rematch against the GWS Giants, who are currently knocking on the door of the top four. Despite the gap in ladder positions, only a win separates the Hawks from the Giants – a testament to how tight the competition has become.
Last they met, it had been at Hawthorn’s home away from home, down in Tasmania. It had been a tight tussle, with many lead changes and swinging momentum. The young Hawks were wasteful in the forward fifty, kicking two goals and seven behinds come halftime.
They were trailing by 19 points coming into the third quarter, but the boys came out fighting, kicking seven of the last nine goals of the match, including two (out of three) from veteran Jack Gunston and the match-winner from sub, Luke Breust, clutching the win by a single goal.
Hawthorn had been missing Lloyd Meek that game, with Ned Reeves filling in the rising ruckman’s shoes for the afternoon. But it wasn’t to last, with Reeves being subbed out with a back injury, leaving the Hawks with no recognised ruckman.
That didn’t stop them however, with Sam Mitchell making the inspired move of Josh Weddle to the middle, who shared ruck duties with forward Mabior Chol, for the remainder of the match. While it didn’t tip the scales in terms of hitouts, it did curb GWS ruckman, Kieren Briggs’, influence in the middle and was exciting to watch.
In terms of statistical advantages, GWS averages higher in a number of areas including marking, possessions, and marking, while Hawthorn has a slight edge with inside 50’s (52.6 to 51.3), disposal efficiency (74.2 to 73.1) and hit-outs (38.1 to 35.3). GWS are also a taller side, with more experience, but that didn’t stop the Hawks last.
Hawthorn has a 100% winning rate at Manuka, however, the Hawks have only played once at Manuka Oval; back in round 21, 2019, where they thumped the Giants 85 to 29 in the snow.
Barring the return of Lloyd Meek, there are few changes to the line up in comparison to the last time these two met. Jack Gunston, Seamus Mitchell, and Cam Mackenzie are the only omissions while Nick Watson and Josh Ward are the inclusions.
Should all results fall Hawthorn’s way this week, we should see them bust down the door of the top eight with three more games to go until season end.
Round 21 • Sunday 4 August 2024 • 1:10 PM (AEST)
Manuka Oval, Canberra • Ngunnawal/Ngambri
