The Cats and Hawks would make for an exciting experiment if you were to merge them into one team. They have had a robust rivalry of recent times, having played in the grand final together, and have the ‘Jeff Kennett curse’ for spice.
Cats, Hawks
Coach: Alastair Clarkson (Hawks)
Captain: Liam Shiels (Hawks)B: Jed Bews (Cats), Lachie Henderson (Cats), James Sicily (Hawks)
HB: Grant Birchall (Hawks), James Frawley (Hawks), Ryan Burton (Hawks)
C: Mitch Duncan (Cats), Tom Mitchell (Hawks), Isaac Smith (Hawks)
HF: Cam Guthrie (Cats), Rhys Stanley (Cats), Sam Menegola (Cats)
F: Dan Menzel (Cats), Ricky Henderson (Hawks), Patrick Dangerfield (Cats)Foll: Zac Smith (Cats), Liam Shiels (Hawks), Joel Selwood (Cats)
Int: Brendan Whitecross (Hawks), Scott Selwood (Cats), Will Langford (Hawks), Gary Ablett (Cats)
Coach
Alastair Clarkson is possibly one of the best coaches of the modern era. It is impossible to go past him, in spite of Chris Scott having coached a premiership.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Captain
Liam Shiels is a hard worker who always plays his role for the Hawks. He finished second in tackles for Hawthorn in 2017, which is demonstrative of his work rate. He is a modest part of the Hawks leadership group who deserves the honour of being named captain.
Back line
The selection of Jed Bews may raise a few eyebrows; however, he always plays his role for his team and is the best small defender in the two teams. Lachie Henderson is capable of stopping the best tall forward from the opposition team and can also pinch hit up forward if required. James Sicily is yet another utility player, but he will predominantly play in defence.
Midfield
Mitch Duncan and Isaac Smith are two of the better midfielders in the competition. Both quiet achievers and both play their best footy on a wing. Tom Mitchell polled a lot of votes in the 2017 AFL Brownlow Medal tally, which shows how much the umpires rate him as a player. He averaged the most possessions in the competition last season, with 35.8 disposals per game. Incredibly it was his first year at the Hawks.
Forward line
Cam Guthrie and Sam Menegola are interesting choices to play on the half forward flank; they are both capable of playing through the midfield. Their selection will help create forward pressure and increase the midfield rotations. Rhys Stanley is the best centre half forward of either team. He also has the ability to play as the second ruckman.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Followers
Zac Smith is the best ruckman of either team. He is agile and was an astute recruit, coming to the Cats from the Suns. Liam Shiels is well regarded by those at the Hawks and he is a vice-captain of the club. He is definitely one of the most underrated and understated players in the competition. Joel Selwood is captain of Geelong, and he works hard for his team.
Interchange bench
Brendan Whitecross is capable of playing a number of roles; he is utility player who deserves to play more games. Scott Selwood is one of the best taggers in the AFL. He isn’t afraid of hard work. Like his brother Joel, he shows great endeavour and isn’t afraid of being injured. He is always high on the list when it comes to tackles – from 14 games he finished seventh in the competition in tackles.
Will Langford is a midfielder capable of going forward. He can also tag the opposition’s top midfielder if required to fill that function.
Gary Ablett listed last on the interchange bench should come as a surprise to many people, but I feel he is suited to playing on the burst – it’s either pick him in that position or as a forward pocket. He is best suited to the role of playing as an impact player off the interchange bench now that he is coming into the twilight of his career.
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