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The Hawks have begun their rapid climb up the AFL ladder, and they’ll be looking to inflict more pain on the battling Bombers when they clash at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:40pm (AEST).
It’s been a season of big wins and tight losses at Hawthorn, where they sit a game outside the Top four despite having the second best percentage in the competition. It took them 10 weeks to string two wins together, but now they’re looking for a fourth straight win to jump into the Top four. After a good away win over the Crows last weekend, the Hawks are favourites to inflict a good old Saturday afternoon thumping.
The Bombers have been in a state of turmoil for a couple of years now, and the upcoming WADA appeal hasn’t made 2015 any easier. After a promising start to the year, the Bombers have dropped off significantly, and find themselves in 13th spot on the ladder. They had the bye last weekend, but it was a poor 50-point loss to the Eagles the week before that, and the Bombers will need a much-improved effort if they stand any chance against the Hawks.
Hawthorn have made only one change for this match, with Grant Birchall set to come back into the side. Ryan Schoenmakers is the man to miss out. There are no injury concerns for the defender, he’s just getting a rest this weekend.
The Bombers will make five changes for this match, with Jason Winderlich set to play his first game of the season. Joining him in the side are Courtenay Dempsey, Jackson Merrett, Shaun McKernan and Nick O’Brien. Orazio Fantasia and Paul Chapman will both miss with groin injuries, while Travis Colyer is nursing a foot problem. Patrick Ambrose and Ben Howlett have been dropped for this game.
These two sides have met already this season, and it was the Bombers that took a stirring 2-point victory back in Round 2. These sides have changed dramatically since then, so don’t expect a repeat performance.
Prediction
This could get very ugly for the Bombers. There’s been media attention around James Hird’s absence this week, and it just adds another issue for the players to deal with. Hawks in a laugher.
Hawthorn by 72
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