Who would have thought the Hawthorn Hawks would have lost four games at this stage of the season? Find out if they can get back in the positive with a win over the Gold Coast Suns. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:45pm (AEST).
The game is being played at the Hawks’ second home ground in Launceston, Tasmania. Last year, the Hawks won the corresponding game by nearly nine goals and the Suns aren’t likely to enjoy this year’s trip south.
The Hawks will be hell bent on winning and boosting their percentage, to get back into the top four.
Their forwards have been their best players this year and should again kick a large score. Jarryd Roughead and Luke Breust are high up on the goal-scoring ladder, and with Jack Gunston form a dangerous attack.
Down back, Josh Gibson continues to lead the team with intercept marks and is an important springboard into attack.
Captain Luke Hodge’s three-match suspension cost the Hawks dearly. His selection this week is offset with the loss to injury of Grant Birchall and Will Langford, meaning the Hawks are still finding it hard to get their best side on the ground.
The Suns welcome back Steven May and Jack Martin, but the injury curse continues with top young midfielder Dion Prestia sidelined for the rest of the year.
The Suns have been terrible this season. They have been decimated by injuries but before that their form was down on expectations. There is still no sign of ‘The Messiah’ Gary Ablett, and his injury has had a huge impact on the club. In his absence Michael Rischitelli has gathered a high number of disposals but is getting little assistance from his young teammates.
There will be plenty of Tasmanian talent on show in Saturday’s game. The Suns have two players in their team drafted from the local Launceston Blues team in Kade Kolodjashnij and Jesse Lonergan. Both players will be familiar with the Aurora Stadium surface and will look forward to playing in front of family and friends.
Prediction
Carnage in Launceston! Hawks to win by 80 points.
Can the Hawks get their season back on track and record a big win, or will the Suns defy all the doomsayers and cause the greatest upset in the AFL this year?
Join The Roar from 1:45pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW Hawthorn 14.9.93 def Gold Coast 6.4.40 Major Goalscorers. Hawks; Hale,Bruest 3, Gunston 2. Suns; Lynch 2 Best; Hawks; Shiels, Hodge, Hill and Durryea. SUNS Hallahan,Rischitelli and May. The Hawks came to Launceston and did what was expected and ran out 53 point winners. They will certainly face much harder tests than today's game against the Suns. Lewis was a late withdrawal and the Hawks started slowly. Jack Martin was subbed out within the first minute for the Suns ,continuing their injury curse. Both sides were better defensively in the first half and the Suns were right in it up until mid second quarter. The Suns then went 55 minutes without a goal where in contrast the HAWKS kicked nine. The wind was a major influence on the game and the Hawks used it best in the third quarter kicking six goals. My BOG was Liam Shiels. He had an amazing 14 tackles and it's that effiort that would please Clarkson. Luke Hodge had a good blow out after coming back from an enforced lay off. Hill and Durryea were good possession winners all day. For the Suns former Hawk Mitch Hallahan lifted for his first game against former team mates. Rischitelli worked into the game and Stephen May was superb on Jarryd Roughead. Overall the Hawks did what was necessary as they try and string some wins together. The Suns would be looking for some respite and the Bye can't come quick enough. They showed enough effort in the first quarter to suggest when they get some personnel back they will improve. The Tassie Hawks will be pleased with the final result on their home ground.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GAME OVER HAWKS win by 53 points.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Playing out time at Launceston. HAWKS ..14.9.93 SUNS……6.3.39 Q4 2'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL SUNS Brooksby goals with his first kick on debut. HAWKS ..14.9.93 SUNS……6.3.39 Q4 6'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
INJURY NEWS Puopolo finished for the day with a twisted ankle. HAWKS ..14.8.92 SUNS……5.3.33 Q4 9'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Bruest joins Hale with three. The Hawks just too good.59 points in front. HAWKS ..14.8.92 SUNS……5.3.33 Q4 13'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Hale gets things moving and scores his third. HAWKS ..13.8.86 SUNS……5.3.33 Q4 14'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
Stalemate at the start of last quarter. HAWKS ..12.8.80 SUNS……5.3.33 Q4 15'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
SUB HAWKS Rioli off for a rest. Howe on for first game.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
3 Quarter Time Hawks 12.5.77 lead Suns 5.3.33 Major Goals; Hale,Bruest and Gunston 2...Suns ; Lynch 2 The Hawks took control that quarter with the wind scoring 6 goals to 1. Durryea continues to do well with Hodge and Shiels lifting their work rate. For the Suns Hallahan,Lynch and Nicholls are trying hard. Let's hope the Suns can add some respectability and finish the game out.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
3 Qtr Time Hawks by 46.
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL SUNS Dixon breaks the sequence with a well judged goal. HAWKS ..12.5.77 SUNS……5.3.33 Q3 2'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Hawks have the last nine goals! HAWKS ..12.5.77 SUNS…….4.2.26 Q3 3'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Smith adds another. The flood gates are definately open. HAWKS ..12.5.77 SUNS…….4.2.26 Q3 6'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Burgoyne joins the party! HAWKS ..11.5.71 SUNS…….4.2.26 Q3 7'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Cyril gets a free and goals. The game has completely changed as the Suns can't score and haven't since early in the second. HAWKS ..10.5.65 SUNS…....4.2.26 Q3 8'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Gunston kicks a brilliant goal from 50m. HAWKS 9.4.58 SUNS….4.2.26 Q3 10'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
The Hawks have doubled the Suns score and lead by 26. HAWKS 8.4.52 SUNS….4.2.26 Q3 13'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Hodge finishes a chain of handballs. This could get ugly as the Hawks have the wind. HAWKS 8.4.52 SUNS....4.2.26 Q3 16'
Graham Smith
Roar Guru
GOAL HAWKS Shiels gets the second half underway. The Hawks are up and away! HAWKS 7.4.46 SUNS 4.2.26 Q3 19'