Roar Guru
The Carlton Blues will be out to prevent the Hawthorn Hawks from winning eight games in a row when the two sides clash this Friday night. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
The Hawks have moved into the top four and are now focusing on top two. Losing games earlier in the year has meant that the Hawks have needed to really up their tempo and has ruled them out of messing around with resting players with finals just around the bend.
You may suspect that their rivals in Fremantle and Sydney are looking at peaking for September and are not at the top of their game at present.
Against the Blues the Hawks will look to just do enough. Whilst there is no room to rest players they may well move their players around and give them different roles during the game in the knowledge that they can blow the Blues away whenever they want.
If the betting is any guide this game could be very one sided.
The Hawks have many key players who are having a stand out season. Starting down back Josh Gibson maintains a stingy defence and is constantly able to drop off and intercept marks from any opposition attacks.
In the middle Sam Mitchell racks up the disposals and leads a first-class midfield.
Forward of the ball Jack Gunston presents a mobile target and Luke Bruest continually hits the scoreboard. Combined, the Hawks have too many options for the Blues to counter.
John Barker has said the Hawks are beatable and if his side does just that then he may well get the coaching job permanently. Otherwise there are names starting to filter out in Simon Lloyd, Brendan Bolton and Stuart Dew, who are also being considered for the Blues coaching job.
The Hawks have lost Liam Shiels to a quad injury. He will be missed as he’s having a break-out year. Likewise the Blues also suffer through an injury to Andrew Carazzo who is out.
Prediction:
The Hawks to take it easy and stroll to a 35 point win.
Will the Hawks continue their charge to the top of the ladder or will the Blues defy the $17.00 being offered and cause the biggest upset that one could contemplate?
Join The Roar at 7:30pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.