I love the Hawks. They are my team, and my children’s team. But with the upcoming match against Port Adelaide at the fortress that is the Adelaide oval, am I confident that the Hawks can win?
Maybe.
Let me give you a run through four things that need to go right for the Hawks to get a win this weekend.
1. Jarryd Roughead continuing his form against the Power
Every time he comes on the television or my daughter sees a photo of him she yells out, “Roughie!”. He has become a favourite player of hers and in the game against Port his performance will be vital.
In his last two game against them he has kicked 11 goals. That does not include the Round 10 match that the Hawks lost in Adelaide last year, a game Roughead missed due to suspension. In Round 16, 2013, he kicked five; in the preliminary final last year he kicked six.
If he is able to run wild again and kick four (or more), the Hawks should be able to win.
2. Containing Travis Boak Every time he has played the Hawks he has average 30-plus disposals, well above his career average of 22.9 per game. It is like he lifts to another level when he plays against the Hawks.
They will need to find a way to control him if they want to be able to win this game.
3. The Hawthorn backline must dominate
Defence will be a key battle in determining the winner in this match. The Hawks need Josh Gibson and Brian Lake playing at 100 per cent following the loss of James Frawley.
For Port it is Jackson Trengove and Jack Hombsch that need to stand up and hold the likes of Jack Gunston and Roughead if they have any chance of being able to out-score the Hawks.
If one team’s backline fails or has injures then they can kiss this game goodbye.
4. Winning the ruck battle
The combination of of Ben McEvoy and Jonathon Ceglar should combine to win the day if Patrick Ryder has to take the full load of the ruck on himself. The potential return of Matthew Lobbe to the equation however, could see the contest fall in Port Adelaide’s favour.
For me if the Hawks can succeed if three of the four points touched on above fall in their favour.
Hawks by 7 Points.
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Death, taxes, and Jack Ginnivan getting ignored!
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement through concussion to prioritise a "full and healthy life"…
Geelong has been crafty and creative in its list management and has quietly assembled a very exciting young group of midfielders and half-forwards.
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will be looking to lead his team to a victory against Melbourne in what will be his 250th AFL game.
It’s high stakes with five teams having lost their first three games of season 2024, and in desperate need of a win.
