In a year that features personal bests, hard running and dangerous disposals, the wingmen in this weekend’s grand final shape as a crucial component in deciding the premiership-winning team of 2015.
In a literal sense, a Hawk or an Eagle cannot fly without wings. The pre-match analysis of this weekend’s game will focus on the battles in the centre and each end of the ground but flying under the radar is the battle of the wingmen.
Brad Hill, Isaac Smith, Chris Masten and Andrew Gaff are the wingmen most important in this clash with each providing the pure run of a wingman with continued improvement statistically in disposals, tackling, bounces and contested possession. Each of these players can also demonstrate an x-factor that lifts the performance of both their game and the team itself.
Andrew Gaff (Pick#4, 2010)
Gaff’s recruitment came with additional pressure as he was given the famous number three guernsey worn only by two players during the club’s history: Chris Mainwaring and Chris Judd.
He has grown as a player and taken his game to a new level in 2015 as demonstrated by his All-Australian selection. He lead the Eagles in disposals (704) with 13 of his 24 games yielding 30 or more. He has improved his hardness having a personal best year in terms of tackles and contested possessions and has kicked more goals this year than ever before.
Gaff will provide an ever present danger for Hawthorn as his time on ground percentage has not dropped below 86 per cent in any game this year. This along with his ability to accumulate and use the footy will mean he will be a constant threat throughout the grand final.
Chris Masten (Pick #3, 2007)
While stars Cyril Rioli and Patrick Dangerfield head the 2007 draft class, Masten has snuck under the radar to become a prolific ball winner in his own right. This was highlighted this year as he recorded a career best disposal total (528).
As compared to previous years Masten possession tally this season has been made up of a greater ratio of handballing indicating his ability to run and carry the football, as well as become an important link player through the wings and centre of the ground. Masten has been able to provide more than adequate assistance to Matt Priddis in the Eagles midfield as well.
Isaac Smith (Pick #19, 2010)
Smith was a mature-aged recruit and his elevation from the Redan Football Club to the North Ballarat Roosters was sudden and swift. One AFL recruiter has stated “his ability on the wing to utilise his elite running ability (sic) set him apart in both grades of football and ensured he rocketed into the first round of the draft”.
He has not stopped using this skill in playing on the wing and it has proved incredibly effective for the Hawks. Smith, like Gaff and Masten, has also had a career best disposal year (558) and has personal bests in marks and inside 50s.
This ability to play his role in Hawthorn’s style has allowed his improved inside 50 numbers to enhance his overall game. Smith also lifts his team with knack for kicking team lifting goals, particularly in big games such as his goal in the third quarter of the 2012 grand final along with his career high-point – his crucial goal in the last quarter of the 2013 grand final.
Brad Hill (pick #33, 2011)
Hill’s breakout 2013 put him on the AFL map as a hard running and damaging wingman.
A highly liked clubman, Hill has stepped out from the shadow of his older brother Stephen to form a lethal one-two combination on the wings with Smith.
Hill, like Smith, Gaff and Masten, has also a best disposal year (465). He has had the most kicks he has ever had in a season and has been able to complement this to not only be a dangerous kick but also a dangerous ball carrier. This has helped the Hawks’ transition from a defence to an offensive focus to a great degree this season.
Smith and Hill will use their running capabilities to out run their West Coast opponents and look to use any latitude given by their opponents to run off and lose them in traffic.
Both will look to get forward. Conversely Masten will look to get inside the contest and give his teammates first use of the ball, while Gaff will look to push forward, utilise the room created by the space guarding Eagles’ zone and find space of his own to become dangerous in.
The Hawks wingmen are similar in style providing predictability to their teammates while the Eagles wingmen have the flexibility to affect the midfield battle both inside and out.
If any of these four are off the mark it will stifle the run and momentum their teams are able to produce. Each of these players has demonstrated that they are capable of accumulating large disposal numbers and producing match winning football.
Each of them has reached the grand final on the back of career best years. The scene is set for a classic battle on Saturday.
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