Selection Dissection: Power outage?
The Hawks are on a winning streak, can they head into South Australia and come home with it in tact?
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Round 10 - Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide
Sunday 19 May, 3.20pm
Adelaide Oval
Two in a row and three from our last four games. It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but sometimes you’ve just got to find a way and win ugly and that’s what we did against St Kilda. Winning ugly can be a beautiful thing.
The positive
There was a lot to like but Nick Watson played his best game of his short career. Two goals but more importantly he had seven score involvements from his 10 disposals. The kid is going to be a star.
The negative
Jack Scrimshaw being suspended for one match. Scrimshaw has been incredible this season playing as effectively Hawthorn’s centre half back and second key position defender alongside Sam Frost. He will be sorely missed against Port Adelaide this Sunday. Fingers crossed the captain can return.
Looking ahead
This week will be arguably the biggest test of the season, Port Adelaide in Adelaide is no easy task. James Sicily and Mabior Chol look likely to return so there will be at least a couple of changes. Unfortunately Box Hill have a bye which comes at a terrible time, especially for the likes of Jiath, Ward, DGB, Hustwaite and Phillips.
The backline
As mentioned, Jack Scrimshaw will miss through suspension. James Sicily, if he gets through the main training session on Friday, is the obvious replacement. If Sicily can’t get up, the options come down to either Ethan Phillips or Bodie Ryan to debut.
The midfield
It was great to see Jai Newcombe have another strong game. He picked up nine coaches votes and will need to back it up again to give us any hope of causing an upset this week. Nash and Worpel were good with their tackling and clearance work but both need to find more of the ball. Moore’s addition into the centre at times has helped in the past few weeks and his class will be needed again this week.
🗣️ The big question: Should CJ be rushed back?
Changkouth Jiath was able to get through three quarters of football in the VFL last week and had a great game, so temptation will be there for Sam Mitchell to rush CJ back. With Box Hill having a bye this week, it will make the decision even tougher. With his injury history, I wouldn’t take the risk in rushing CJ back.
The ruck
Another strong game from Lloyd Meek, who is arguably the most improved player in the AFL this season. He’s had a brutal run of match ups in the past month and finally get’s a better match up this week against former Bulldog Jordan Sweet. Watch for Meek to have 40+ hit-outs
The forward line
Mabior Chol looks set to return from an elbow injury, meaning Calsher Dear — who got subbed against the Saints — will make way. It’s been great to see Dear get a taste at AFL level but a few weeks at Box Hill won’t do him any harm.
Jack Gunston’s leadership and experience will be needed this week. As mentioned above it was great to see Nick Watson kick multiple goals. I liked Luke Breust as the sub and would go with it again this week.
What should happen:
Out: Scrimshaw (suspended), Dear (omitted)
In: Sicily, Chol
FB: Impey Frost Hardwick
HB: Sicily Weddle Serong
C: Amon Nash D’Ambrosio
HF: Moore Gunston Macdonald
FF: Watson Chol Ginnivan
R: Meek Day Newcombe
Int: Worpel Mitchell Mackenzie Maginness (Breust)
What will happen:
Out: Scrimshaw (suspended), Dear (omitted)
In: Sicily, Chol
FB: Impey Frost Hardwick
HB: Sicily Weddle Serong
C: Amon Nash D’Ambrosio
HF: Moore Gunston Macdonald
FF: Watson Chol Ginnivan
R: Meek Day Newcombe
Int: Worpel Mitchell Mackenzie Maginness (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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Whether Sicily plays or not I think this is the time to give Phillips a try. A bit of height and a mature body will help. It could even free up Sicily to go forward again? I’m still bemused by the role Maginness is meant to be playing. Prefer Ward.