Selection Dissection: Roo Hunting

A couple of important wins, a bye and we're back at it down in Tassie

Jun 26, 2025

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Round 16 — Hawthorn vs North Melbourne

Saturday, June 28 — 4:15pm @ UTAS Stadium

Welcome back everyone after the bye.

We now enter “the run home” phase of the season and the race for a spot in the top 4 and top 8. There’s a good chance we will need 14 wins to make the finals this season, which will be the first time in AFL history.

Our “fixture” post bye is arguably the hardest of any team. Trips to Perth (Dockers), Adelaide (Crows), Brisbane and another clash against the Pies are on the horizon. There will be no easy games in the run home.

As they often say, “one week at a time” and it starts this week against a resurgent North Melbourne, who are coming off a win against Carlton and are playing competitive football.

This week’s game will not be easy like it has been in previous years against the Roos. The players must be switched on from the opening bounce.

We wouldn’t mind a repeat of Round 24 last season

🛡️ Defence:

James Sicily did not participate in the match sim at training today and looks set to miss at least another week with his hip injury. Sam Mitchell did mention in his press conference that the skipper had a minor procedure recently to fix a “nerve issue” with his hip.

Other than Nick Larkey and Jack Darling, North Melbourne have a small forward line with two incredibly dangerous players in Paul Curtis and Cam Zurhaar. They’ve kicked over 50 goals between them this season and will need heavy attention this week.

⚙️ Midfield:

James Worpel looks set to return from a thigh injury and will be a handy inclusion. Our midfield has not been consistent this season, especially since we lost Will Day with his foot injury and they must improve a lot in the back half of the season if we are to push for a top 4 spot.

North Melbourne have a strong clearance game and quality players in their midfield, so this will be a big test for our midfield.

🤾‍♂️ Ruck:

This will arguably be Lloyd Meek’s biggest test of the season when he comes up against Tristan Xerri. The big North Melbourne ruck will be fighting it out with Max Gawn for All-Australian selection this season. He’s big and strong and is elite around the ground, especially with his clearance work. Meek need’s to at least break even this week.

Keen for a Saturday evening version of Meek Monday

⚡ Forwards:

47 points won’t get us a win this week like it did against the Crows.

If Sicily does return, I would drop Max Ramsden instead of Seamus Mitchell and play him forward alongside Mabior Chol and Jack Gunston. Nick Watson has not kicked a goal in his last three games and needs to start hitting the scoreboard. Look for him to have a big game this week.

Mitch Lewis is set to play a half in the VFL on Saturday. Let’s hope he gets through and can return to senior action in 2-3 week’s time.

Excited to see this man return to football with Box Hill on Saturday

🤦 Ben Ronke of the Week

Jacob Konstanty to kick three

🔮 Selection Predictions 🔮

What should happen:

In: Worpel,
Out: Hustwaite (omitted)

B: B.Hardwick, T.Barrass, J.Impey
HB: K.Amon, J.Battle, J.Weddle
C: M. D’Ambrosio, J.Worpel, H.Morrison
HF: D.Moore, J.Gunston, J.Ginnivan
F: M.Ramsden, M.Chol, N.Watson
FOLL: L.Meek, J. Newcombe, C.Nash

I/C: C.Macdonald, S.Mitchell, J.Ward, S.Butler, C.Jiath (SUB)

Emg: F.Maginness, C.Mackenzie, W.McCabe

What will happen:

In: Worpel
Out: Hustwaite (omitted)