Selection Dissection: Giant killers
A depleted GWS team can't clip the Hawks wings twice in the same season, right? Right?
Subscribe to Hawks Insiders for the most in-depth and wide ranging Hawthorn cover there is. From exclusive interviews to analysis, match recaps to podcasts, the Insiders have you covered.
Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney
Friday June 26, MCG @ 7.40pm
What a win that was against the Suns last Friday night, our first at Carrara since 2014. We must keep the momentum going this week to keep our top-four hopes alive. Once again, we’re in prime time with a Friday night clash against a GWS team under the pump. This is the Giants’ only MCG game this season, so expect them to come out firing, especially under the bright likes, with their season on the line.
Unfortunately, we lost a few soldiers against the Suns last week, which means forced changes. Josh Weddle will miss the next three weeks through suspension, while Jarman Impey suffered a hamstring injury that will see him miss the next two to three matches. Karl Amon also went off injured but returned to finish the game. Jack Gunston and Conor Nash won’t play this week, and Jack Scrimshaw is still at least another week away.
Selection this week will be critical, with a number of players in the mix after Box Hill’s massive win over the Suns last week.
Defenders
How good was it to have Tom Barrass back last week? He returned and gave Ben King a bath. Josh Battle will need a big game this week on Jake Stringer. In our Opening Round loss to the Giants, Stringer turned into prime Wayne Carey, we can’t allow that to happen again.
The coach has a huge call to make on where to play Blake Hardwick this week. He is the best match-up for Toby Greene, but Sam Mitchell seems to like him playing forward when Jack Gunston isn’t in the team. Who replaces Josh Weddle will also be a fascinating watch. One of Flynn Perez or Bodie Ryan is the most likely, while a Noah Mraz debut will probably have to wait until later in the season.
The Midfield
A superb performance against the Suns last week, arguably the best of the season. Jai Newcombe continued his incredible form with another best-on-ground performance, while Will Day looks to be finding his best again. A special mention to Josh Ward, who played another excellent game. He’s really becoming a quality AFL player and a crucial member of the midfield.
Hopefully, Conor Nash is not too far away from returning from his neck injury. He would have been a great match-up for Finn Callaghan this week. The Giants’ midfield is strong, with Callaghan, Oliver, and Daniels their key players, so this week is set to be another big test for our midfielders.
The Rucks
Reeves and Meek both had solid games against the Suns and get a good match-up this week against Kieren Briggs. Briggs is an “old-school” bash-and-crash ruck, and our duo should be able to win the ruck battle and give our midfielders first use.
The Forwards
Jack Gunston won’t return this week, but he is getting closer. He should be in the mix for next week’s huge clash against the Demons. Our forward set up functioned well without him against the Suns, thanks to contributions from Nick Watson, Dylan Moore, Jack Ginnivan and Connor Macdonald. The Wizard has gone past Gunston as our leading goal kicker in 2026.
I expect Blake Hardwick to remain forward, which means there likely won’t be a recall for Calsher Dear or a debut for Aidan Schubert. Sam Butler and Jack Dalton are two names to watch after strong VFL form in recent weeks.
Ben Ronke Of The Week
One of my OG Ben Ronke’s, Callum Brown to pop up and kick 4 goals
What should happen
In - Perez, Butler, Dalton
Out - Weddle, (suspended), Impey (injured), Nairn (managed)
B: Amon - Barrass - Sicily
HB: Perez - Battle - Morrison
C: Ginnivan - Day - D’Ambrosio
HF: Moore - Lewis - Dalton
F: Watson - Chol - Hardwick
R: Reeves - Newcombe - Ward
INT: Meek - C.Macdonald - Mackenzie - Butler - B.Macdonald
Emg: McCabe - Dear - Ryan
What will happen:
In - Perez, Dalton, McCabe
Out - Weddle, (suspended), Impey (injured), Nairn (managed)
B: Amon - Barrass - Sicily
HB: Perez - Battle - Morrison
C: Ginnivan - Day - D’Ambrosio
HF: Moore - Lewis - Dalton
F: Watson - Chol - Hardwick
R: Reeves - Newcombe - Ward
INT: Meek - C.Macdonald - Mackenzie - McCabe - B.Macdonald
Emg: Butler - Dear - Ryan
Depth players: Calsher Dear, Bodie Ryan, Finn Maginness, Henry Hustwaite, Sam Butler, Aidan Schubert, Ollie Greeves, Matt Hill, Max Ramsden, Jamie Uhr-Henry
Injured: James Blanck, Jack Scrimshaw, Matt LeRay, Max Beattie, Conor Nash, Jack Gunston, Jarman Impey, Josh Weddle (suspended)
Follow us on social media through the links below:
Ave Age 24.87 (25.48)
Ave Games 102.43 (112.39)