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Hawthorn welcomes back captain Luke Hodge for their top-eight clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium tonight. Join us for live scores and a detailed description from the opening bounce at 7:50pm AEST.
The Hawks currently sit in third position on the ladder (12-4) but having won their last seven matches, are the form team of the AFL along with the Sydney Swans.
Last week Hawthorn produced the performance of 2012 when they destroyed title favourites Collingwood by 47 points at the MCG. Often criticised for their mental fragility, the Hawks were almost as ruthless as they were when Dermott Brereton and Jason Dunstall led the way in the late ‘80s.
Hawthorn make the rare trip to the west of inner-city Melbourne for this Docklands encounter but they will be buoyed by the return of captain Hodge who hasn’t played since round six.
2008 Norm Smith Medallist Hodge proved his troublesome knee had adequately healed when he performed well for Box Hill in the VFL last week. His return to the fold means the Hawks are only Lance Franklin away from being practically full strength.
Joining Hodge as an inclusion is defender Brent Guerra. Red-head Kyle Cheney and backman Tom Murphy make way.
Hawthorn’s record at Docklands is pretty good. Since 2010, they’ve won four and drawn once in their last six visits to the roofed venue.
Tonight they play an out of form Bombers team that needs victory to consolidate their shaky standing inside the top eight. Essendon currently sit in sixth position with an 11-5 record and while the top four isn’t yet out of the question for James Hird’s men, their recent form indicates a slip outside of the eight may be a more likely outcome than the double chance.
The Bombers were poor against Geelong last week – they went down by more than 11 goals. The week before, they took a shade more than three quarters to dispense of Port Adelaide. In their previous match at Docklands, Essendon went down to St Kilda by a point less than ten goals.
Prior to July you would have been confident declaring Docklands as the ground where Essendon play their best footy but recent form suggests otherwise. Perhaps this is the best indication of how disappointing the Bombers have been lately.
James Hird makes three changes to tonight’s team. Alex Browne, key stopper Heath Hocking and injury-prone on-baller Jason Winderlich – who hasn’t played in the AFL since ruining his knee in April 2011 – return to the 22. Winderlich, in particular, will be given a few weeks to find his best form.
Making way are the injured Ricky Dyson (ankle), David Myers (Achilles) and the omitted Cory Dell’Olio.
I’m tipping Hawthorn tonight. These teams hate each other with a passion and I think Hawks fans should prepare for some more boasting. They’ve won their last two against the Bombers quite handsomely and I expect them to extend that record to three.
Hawthorn by 45+ points.
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