2015 AFL grand final: The crucial battle of the wingmen

By T.W. Cougan / Roar Rookie

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.

The Crowd Says:

2015-10-02T21:12:49+00:00

New York Hawk

Guest


What is it at West Coast? Dealer?

2015-10-02T21:11:54+00:00

New York Hawk

Guest


Is it just me or are you essentially telling us things that the Hawks themselves created? The Hawks are the most versatile team in the history of the game. No one knows the importance of versatility more than Clarko and co. That said, there are some players that you don't need nor want, to throw around. For us that is Smith and Hill (and Lake to a lesser extent). They are our damaging pace through the middle. We have tons of players that can win the contested ball and rebound off our back 50. We need Hill and Smith to run and carry the ball when it happens. Your point below about controlling the game through possession is the foundation of our last two flags and GF loss in 2012. None of what you say is news at Waverley because we invented it. Good luck in the Grand Final to all West Coast supporters. I just hope you end up listening to a few words of wisdom from Hodgey about how they acheived their third flag in a row. Go Hawks!

2015-10-02T11:05:39+00:00

Shaw

Roar Rookie


I believe the current hawthorn lingo for wingman is designated driver.

2015-10-01T14:21:43+00:00

jax

Guest


What's more important than getting your hands on the ball and controlling the game?

2015-10-01T14:18:47+00:00

jax

Guest


I agree. The days of playing one role are gone. If you're not versatile you're handicapping yourself and the team.

2015-10-01T12:14:46+00:00

DeanM

Guest


The stats you have used are stacked in the Eagles favour as it was already established that both Eagles wingman can and do go in for the contested clearances. Hawks wingman are also more likely to receive the rebound 50. How about stats more relevant to the run and carry nature of a wingman. Bounces? To get an idea on run and carry and line breaking plays. Inside 50's and perhaps goals per game averages.

2015-10-01T07:36:11+00:00

gameofmarks

Roar Guru


Don't disagree with you but it all depends on what type of game it is, ie whether it is a contested or uncontested game. I think the GF has a pretty good chance of being a very contested game and this is where Gaff/Masten's stats will bode well compared to Hill/Smith. When it comes to an uncontested game I think the number of disposal tells the tale.

2015-10-01T07:11:27+00:00

Anonymous

Roar Pro


The stats you have used for comparison are fairly useless when it comes to wingman. You don’t want your wingman in the contest winning the clearances, they are meant to be the ones on the outside to receive the clearance and drive the ball forward. Again with the rebound 50’s, they are the ones who should be receiving the ball after the inside mids and defenders clear the defensive 50. And the reason the Eagles stats are slightly inflated in those areas is because Masten isn’t really wingman, not when compared to the likes of Smith, Hill and Gaff.

2015-10-01T05:44:49+00:00

gameofmarks

Roar Guru


I think Gaff/Masten will have the wood on Hill/Smith if the stats are any guide: Gaff/Masten Average Disposals - 54.4 Average Clearances - 4.7 Average Centre Clearance - 0.5 Average Stoppage Clearances - 4.2 Average Rebound 50s - 3.8 Hill/Smith Average Disposals - 43.4 Average Clearances - 2.7 Average Centre Clearance - 0.1 Average Stoppage Clearances - 2.5 Average Rebound 50s - 1.8

2015-10-01T04:40:42+00:00

DJW

Guest


Hill was terrible against Freo

2015-10-01T04:22:20+00:00

Dean

Guest


Hill is the first to go missing when things get bad for the Hawks. The game will go one of two ways, Hawks jump out of the blocks and downhill ski to victory with guys like Hill and Smith firing, or the Eagles are in the lead at quarter time and half the hawks remain missing for the rest of the game and they go down by 4-5 goals with their champions Mitch, Hodge and Burgoyne carrying the team.

AUTHOR

2015-10-01T03:15:13+00:00

T.W. Cougan

Roar Rookie


Considered a closer look at how the match-ups would play out but as we have seen over the course of the year both sets of wingmen, while keeping an eye on their opponent, are more concerned about playing thier own game. The pace of Hill and Smith would worry the Eagles wingmen but I think they can in-turn hurt the Hawks through their ability to accumulate contested possessions.

2015-09-30T15:36:19+00:00

Jrod

Guest


Solid points. This will be a critical "battle". Very influential for both sides. Would have liked more on how the match ups play out rather than stats ignoring opponents.

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