Questions to ponder ahead of Round 3: Can the Pies be re-heated, Are Port the real deal, Can Jezza's form last for the Cats?
Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
The Hawks have blooded some younger players this year, but the up-coming game against Gold Coast could be the best time to bite the bullet and really shake things up.
Here is the team I want to see Hawthorn play:
B: Angus Litherland, James Frawley, Daniel Howe
HB: Kaiden Brand, Kurt Heatherley, Taylor Duryea
C: Billy Hartung, Jordon Lewis, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Hodge, Tim O’Brien, Paul Puopolo
F: James Sicily, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
FOL: Marc Pittonet, Kieran Lovell, Will Langford
I/C: Jonathon Ceglar, Kade Stewart, Liam Shiels, Josh Gibson
That team would have an average of 83.72 games experience, with an average age of 24.64 years.
This would be a drop from last week’s team of 43.78 games.
Along with giving the younger players experience in the AFL it would also give the like of Bradley Hill, who has not been playing the best this season, a chance to get some form back in the VFL.
The next generation of Hawks are winning games, having only lost to the Giants, Swans and Cats – teams fighting for the flag this year.
Hawthorn look likely to drop out of the top eight next year, but it will not be long before they are back on top again, and the younger ones in the above team will be the ones at the front of that resurgence.
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Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
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