The crafty triple champions are at it again, plotting their strategies to perfection as they time their assault at a fourth consecutive flag.
Alastair Clarkson’s mighty Hawks could well rewrite history if they can execute those carefully laid plans.
For most of the season the Hawks have cleverly disguised their superiority over the rest of the competition, lying low on the ladder while surveying what’s in front of them and mapping out a master plan to counter the new breed of challengers.
At the turn of the halfway mark they have made their move and jumped to the top of the ladder, challenging the rest to catch them if they can.
And as expected, the pace setters have begun falling away – notably North Melbourne who held sway from the first ten rounds but now find themselves languishing in eighth spot after four consecutive losses. They remain a strong chance to challenge the leaders if they can regain Shaun Higgins, Daniel Wells and Jarrad Waite from injury.
Sydney, Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Greater Western Sydney, West Coast and Adelaide have shown great potential to wrest the flag away from the Hawks, but all of them have shown vulnerability at certain stages which is not the hallmark of a budding challenger.
Of those names above, Adelaide have emerged from below the radar to look ominous in their assault at the main stage of the competition and with Sydney appear the likely challengers for this year’s premiership.
Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Richmond, Melbourne and St Kilda have a mathematical chance of securing a place in the finals depending on how the remaining games pan out but their impact on the top four teams will be minimal.
The top of the table game between Sydney and Hawthorn will no doubt be a blockbuster that will clearly indicate if the Swans have it in them to overcome the tormentor of several recent campaigns that have shattered their hope of a flag.
The re-emergence of superstar Gary Ablett saw the Gold Coast Suns show remarkable improvement, but their joy was short lived when Ablett appeared to have re-injured his left shoulder. This kept him out of the game for a considerable spell after reconstruction.
Carlton, Melbourne, St Kilda and Gold Coast show signs of improvement but lack consistency in their performances. Brisbane and Essendon appear to be on a tanking expedition to secure top draft picks.
While the-ban stricken Bombers appear to have a legitimate excuse for why they cannot win close games, the Lions have none but continue on their merry way to help their list development.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
It is not the 2nd. I hate Hawthorn :-(
Beau
Guest
who won last night?! didn't check the score... hahaha :)
justinr
Guest
sounds like a conspiracy theory to me
Stewie
Guest
Lol, what a chest-puffing article. Hawthorn haven't been perfect this season by any means. Swans are planning to get the double on them tonight, remember?
Peppsy
Roar Guru
There's no need to quote the entire comment, we can all see what you're replying too
Penster
Guest
"For most of the season the Hawks have cleverly disguised their superiority over the rest of the competition ...." If that's what you call getting flogged by other top 4 sides and barely getting over the line against middle of the range teams! If the Hawks manage a win tonight then yes, I'd say they've arrived with serious intentions. But a Thursday night at the Moore Park Netball Court against an in form Swans keen to string 2 wins in a row and secure a top 2 finish won't be easy.
anon
Guest
"Disagree with the comments about tonight’s game. I don’t think the game is meaningful in any way if Sydney win. Playing on the postage-stamp sized SCG is not conducive to real football and realistically the Swans should never lose there given the massive advantage of being used to play on an under-10s sized field. " It will mean something if Sydney win since they beat the Hawks at the MCG two months ago. If Hawthorn win it shows they're back and a legitimate premiership favourite. It's basically a must win for Sydney. Hawthorn can afford to lose, but they're almost assured of finishing top two if they win. It's as big a regular season game as you'll get.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
I think we will find out tonight if: - Hawks rise to the top as the pace setters fall away? or - Hawks have just finished a 6 week block playing 'kangaroos style,' getting un-inspiring wins against sub-standard teams flattering their ladder position?
Paul D
Roar Guru
"Brisbane and Essendon appear to be on a tanking expedition to secure top draft picks. While the-ban stricken Bombers appear to have a legitimate excuse for why they cannot win close games, the Lions have none but continue on their merry way to help their list development." What a facile analysis. Brisbane aren't tanking, they are legitimately dreadful. They have a host of young players, a core of jaded senior players who are mentally shot and are starting to not care about losing, a coach struggling to inspire them and the worst skill levels of any club in the game. Tanking - what a stupid comment. That implies that they've had a choice over the defeats they've suffered. They haven't, they have been totally outclassed and outmatched. That's why they're so frustrated and angry about their plight, the players are under no illusions how bad they are. If they were tanking they wouldn't care less.
Bob
Guest
Disagree with the comments about tonight's game. I don't think the game is meaningful in any way if Sydney win. Playing on the postage-stamp sized SCG is not conducive to real football and realistically the Swans should never lose there given the massive advantage of being used to play on an under-10s sized field. If Hawthorn wins that is major, but if Sydney win not a lot can be read into it given the ridiculousness of being allowed to play on a ground not fit for AFL from a size perspective.
Richard
Guest
hahaha..Don't pump us up too much.. We are nowhere near favourites..
andyl12
Guest
Haha, this article will definitely attract posts from the Hawthorn-haters. Wait for the fireworks.