Friday night footy sees a classic match-up, as the Hawthorn Hawks host the Sydney Swans at the MCG. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:50pm (AEST).
Hawthorn and Sydney have a history of playing close, tightly fought matches, yet Hawthorn seem to regularly find a way. They’ve won the last three: all by six points or under. That’s what makes this one so good to watch.
Hawthorn are in good form this season. They’re five and two, with losses to North Melbourne and Richmond their only blights. Last weekend’s outing was a comfortable win over Essendon.
Sydney are situated just inside the eight, but their form has been questionable at times. They’re four and three, and while a win down in Geelong was a highlight, their scrappy, poor loss to North last weekend was frustrating.
The Swans will have to do it without Lance Franklin, with the superstar still ruled out. In terms of week-to-week changes, they’ve omitted Robbie Fox and Harry Marsh, with Tom McCartin (brother of the Saints’ Paddy McCartin) handed his chance to debut, and also included Daniel Robinson.
The Hawks have omitted James Worpel and James Cousins, and selected Will Langford and Ricky Henderson.
Prediction
This should be another classic. Going off history, it probably will be low scoring and both teams will hold the ascendancy at various stages of the contest.
But it’s at the ‘G and the Hawks been in better form, so the home side should snatch the win.
Hawthorn by 4 points
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:55pm (AEST).
Cat
Roar Guru
Bump to the head is a report every time.
Bruce
Guest
Was surprised parker was reported for that. Didn't look too bad.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yeah, Parker's incident was a bad one. Anything other than a suspension and they'll be a lot of understandably aggrieved football fans.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yeah, and?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Dalgety, let's hope their home ground woes continue for just one more week given our boys are headed up to Sydney soon!
User
Roar Rookie
And had no impact, up till then he did. In a close game it had a impact on the result imo as line breaking speed is not on abundance at hawthorn atm especially as pup and Cyril are injured.
Don Freo
Guest
He came straight back on to the field. He played the last 6 minutes.
Don Freo
Guest
An apt description of your contributions to The Roar
User
Roar Rookie
more like last seven minutes, if you watch hawks you will realise impey run and carry has been integral and his loss in the final ten minutes of a close game was critical.
Don Freo
Guest
Are you body shaming?
Don Freo
Guest
He's your age!
Don Freo
Guest
Impey missed all of 2 minutes.
Don Freo
Guest
Sicily and Smith wasted far too much focus talking to the umps in the last 10 minutes. Sydney just went straight through those 2...their minds were elsewhere.
anon
Roar Pro
Sicily is a cancer
Bruce
Guest
Sicily didn't want too much to do with that important marking contest late in the 4th. Gary Rohan went back with it no problems. Henderson gave him a spray too.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The Swans really have this travelling malarkey sorted this year, don't they. Not afraid of getting the wet sail out late either. Great game all up. Loved Gary Rohan's efforts late, especially the mark going back with the flight.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
I could say Pies instead but they'll need to beat Geelong by about ten goals Hawks just lost 4 percentage points.They'll get it back against Brisbane and lose it again against the Eagles
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Hawthorn's forward fifties were a bit disorganised and I know Gunston kicked six,but they were harassed off the ball and kicked badly. If the stat was there for kicking efficiency in forward fifty,both sides would be way down Anyway,Ronke lays 10 tackles and kicks 7 goals,Parker lays a Cotchin on Impey and the Hawks cling to the four,with the Cats,Roos or Giants all set to take their place
me too
Guest
Great game Swans stole that on the back of a once in a lifetime game by young Ronke. Good stuff!
User
Roar Rookie
Taking out impey