Heading down to Tassie for the first time this season, Hawks fans have a very interesting game of football coming up, with both sides entering Round 3 with undefeated records 2025.
Coming off a bye last round, the GWS Giants will be the fresher of the two sides, and will be boosted with the predicted inclusions of new recruit Jake Stringer and the ever-imposing Jesse Hogan. Coming in at third on the ladder, the Giants have played some fantastic footy through the early rounds, dominating Collingwood in the opener (104 – 52) and coming out victorious in an arm-wrestle with Melbourne a week later (74 -77).
Hawthorn of course are heading down to their home away from home with momentum, sitting atop of the ladder, a game clear from the rest of the competition. While their 20-point win over Carlton on Thursday night was great, they left the MCG with yet another injury in Connor McDonald (low grade syndesmosis) and much to work on in, particularly in the clearance and scoring departments.
GWS have won the past four out of five games against Hawthorn, with the last Hawks victory between the two coming in Round 13, 2024 at UTAS stadium in what was a tight contest that was decided by a goal in the dying minutes of the game.
The Last Time They Met
The last time they met (Round 21, 2024), GWS had their revenge in almost identical fashion, as they pinched the lead within the final minute of the match to ultimately win by two points.
It was a tight contest, with Hawthorn maintaining the lead for over 85% of the match. Jai Newcombe was important at the stoppages, while Jack Gunston and Mabior Chol kicked six goals between them.
GWS forward Hogan had a day out, as the 2024 Coleman Medalist kicked five majors for the day. The Giants gained ascendancy in the final quarter, kicking a whopping seven majors, eroding Hawthorn lead and sealing the match in a heartbreaker for Hawks fans.
The Teams
Expect Gunston to start on the field this Saturday, likely lined up next to defender Sam Taylor, subsequently allowing Chol to play his suited game style. In his place as substitute, Luke Bruest, who kicked three major’s in Box Hills’ four point win over Carlton in the VFL, looms as the most likely option, whilst Henry Hustwaite (30 disposals, 11 clearances) could also be considered.
The Hawthorn midfield, who are without one of their prime-movers in James Worpel, may have their hands full with the likes of Tom Green and Finn Callaghan, both of whom are averaging over 30 disposals so far this season.
Meanwhile, expect Hawthorn forwards, such as Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan and Blake Hardwick, to apply ample pressure in the forward line, with Hardwick potentially being one that could be moved forward to help nullify the influence of half-back Lachie Whitfield, whose marking and disposals have both been elite to start the year.
The Outcome
In the past 50 years, Hawthorn has gone into its fourth game of the season with a 3-0 record on just three previous occasions. The last two times the Hawks started the season 3-0, they went all the way. The last time they made it 4-0 to start the season was 1984.
Whatever the outcome, Hawthorn will have earned themselves a welcome rest with a bye in round four before heading over to Adelaide in the first, and much-anticipated, meeting against Port Adelaide since last season’s semi-final.
