Selection Dissection: A murder of Crows

Jack Gunston's 250th. His (other) former team. Week two of his two-week revenge tour. What needs to go right? What could possibly could go wrong?

Round 12 - Hawthorn v Adelaide

Saturday, June 1, 1.45pm @ Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Brisbane Lions or the Brisbane Bunnies? That’s five in a row against the Lions. Another great win which makes it four from our last six. Finals anyone?

If you haven’t already, have a listen to our Lions recap podcast via the link below.

The positive

The midfield - the Brisbane Lions have a very strong midfield, especially in the clearance department and we came out on top. Will Day had another great game along with Jai Newcombe. The biggest positive was the performance of James Worpel, who had his best game since round three.

The negative

The foot injury to Lloyd Meek. Despite being listed as a test, I can’t see Meek playing this week against the Crows. Ned Reeves will likely get another chance and will need to have a big game against Riley O’Brien to give us a chance to win.

Looking ahead

Nick Watson is available and will likely come in. Who goes out will be a fascinating watch. Jack Gunston also plays game 250 and wasn’t it great to see him return to form last week kicking 4.1.

The backline

Our defensive unit had another excellent game holding the Lions to 10 goals. Sam Frost and Jack Scrimshaw have another big test this week against Tex Walker and Darcy Fogarty. Seamus Mitchell only had four disposals and looked to be struggling in the fourth quarter - he would likely be the one to be omitted should Watson return. Blake Hardwick can swing down back to play on Josh Rachele if needed.

The midfield

The Adelaide midfield will be without Izak Rankine, which leaves only Jordan Dawson as their main player to stop. Conor Nash is the perfect match-up for Dawson as he has the height and size to match him.

🗣️ The big question: Is this the week for Finn Maginness to return?

Stop Dawson this week and the Hawks will go a long way to winning this game. Keeping this in mind, does that open the door for Maginness to return from Box Hill for the match up? As I mentioned above, give Nash the job to go head to head with Dawson and stop him from creating drive.

The ruck

Unfortunately Meek suffered a foot injury and will struggle to get up for this game. Despite not being in great form in the VFL, Ned Reeves will likely come in. Max Ramsden has been in poor form in the VFL and is not ready physically to be a number one ruck. Hopefully Reeves can come in and perform.

The forward line

Some big decisions need to be made this week. Does Watson come straight into the 22 or does he come in as the sub, so that Luke Breust can play a full game for his mate Jack Gunston’s 250th? Does Calsher Dear need a rest?

Breust has been a legend of the club but his time may be coming to an end. When Chad Wingard returns in a few weeks time, it will be interesting to see who makes way. For me, it’s Breust.

What should happen:

Out: Mitchell (omitted), Meek (injured)
In: Watson, Reeves

FB: Impey, Frost, Amon
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Sicily
C: D’Ambrosio, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Gunston, Macdonald
FF: Hardwick, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Reeves, Day, Newcombe
Int: Watson, Mackenzie, Worpel, Dear, (Breust)

What will happen:

Out: Mitchell (omitted), Meek (injured)
In: Watson, Reeves

FB: Impey, Frost, Amon
HBF: Weddle, Scrimshaw, Sicily
C: D’Ambrosio, Nash, Jiath
HFF: Moore, Gunston, Macdonald
FF: Hardwick, Chol, Ginnivan
R: Reeves, Day, Newcombe
Int: Watson, Mackenzie, Worpel, Dear, (Breust)

What do you think Hawks fans? As always, we would love your opinion on Brad’s selection decisions. Did he get it spot on? Or was he way off the mark?

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