Selection Dissection: Tag 'em and bag 'em

With every game being like an Elimination Final at the moment, it's time for the Hawks to show why they were happy to have Carlton's first round pick over their own

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Round 20 — Hawthorn vs Carlton

Thursday, July 24 — 7:20pm @ MCG

After our disappointing loss to the Dockers it was great to get back on the winners list against Port Adelaide, a team we have struggled against in recent years. A special mention to Jack Ginnivan and Ken Hinkley for their handling of the ‘aeroplane’ celebration.

We now move on quickly to tomorrow night and another must win match against Carlton to keep our top 8 hopes alive. With how tight the top nine teams are on the ladder, every match between now and Round 24 is crucial and a must win. Finals are here early!

The likelihood is, 14 wins with our % won’t be enough to make the finals this year, so we will have to win four of our last six matches. With matches against Adelaide away, Collingwood and Brisbane away to come, we simply have to beat Carlton this week.

Those that are expecting an easy win tread carefully! One of their much loved players Sam Docherty announced his retirement during the week, with this being his last game. Jacob Weitering plays game 200 and Harry McKay will return. The Blues will be up big time for this game.

We got some great news early in the week that Will Day has been cleared to play and will return. He will replace Finn Maginness, who suffered a lacerated spleen against the Power and will be out for the season. We wish Finn all the best in his recovery. What a brilliant and courageous effort it was for him to play out the game.

Hope is here.

🛡️ Defence:

It was great to welcome back Jack Scrimshaw last week. I thought he played well on his return and adds much needed composure and class down back. Carlton will likely get McKay back this week, so our defenders will be tested, especially with Charlie Curnow back in form after a good game against Melbourne last week. Tom De Koning also plays a lot forward and can cause issues with his strong marking.

A special mention to the ‘super sub’ Bailey Macdonald who kicked his first AFL goal last week in the last quarter and celebrated in style. I think he is a great sub option moving forward and should get the role this week against the Blues.

Hey Siri, define pure joy:

Our backline mix will be a fascinating watch for the rest of the season, especially if Josh Weddle returns. Until then, the current set up will remain.

⚙️ Midfield:

It was a very even performance against the Power. I thought Josh Ward was our best midfielder and deserves huge credit for the season he is putting together. The conditions were perfect for Conor Nash and James Worpel, who performed well after a disappointing game against the Dockers the week before. Jai Newcombe got beaten by Willem Drew but after carrying our midfield for a lot of the season, he gets a leave pass!

As mentioned above, we will welcome back Day this week and the timing is perfect, with our tough run of games coming up. Sam Mitchell will have a big decision to make. Does he start the game in the ‘22’ or as the sub, like Fremantle did with Hayden Young against Collingwood. I think he starts on the field!

Let’s hope he can get through the game. If the Hawks are going to not only make the finals but do some damage at the business end of the season a fit Day will be crucial.

🤾‍♂️ Ruck:

After a huge last six weeks, Meeky struggled against the Power and was beaten by Jordon Sweet. He looked very tired, especially in the second half which is a worry heading into this week.

Carlton plays a combination of Mark Pittonet (bash and crash) and De Koning (athletic). They will look to work Meek into the ground this week. With Mabior Chol likely to miss another week, the second ruck role will likely fall to Calsher Dear, who rucked at times last week against the Power and looked good with his impressive vertical leap.

⚡ Forwards:

How good was it to see Mitch Lewis back last week? Although he was quiet and got subbed out in the third quarter, he competed well and pulled up fine after the game. Look for him to have a better return this week against the Blues.

Unfortunately Chol looks set to miss his second consecutive match with a groin injury, so Sam Mitchell’s headache on whether or not to play the four key tall forwards will have to wait another week.

Luckily, Father Time doesn’t come for all men.

🤦 Ben Ronke of the Week

Will White to kick 3+ goals.

🔮 Selection Predictions 🔮

What should happen:

In: Day
Out: Maginness (inj.)

B: B.Hardwick, T.Barrass, J.Impey
HB: K.Amon, J.Battle, J.Sicily
C: M. D’Ambrosio, W.Day, H.Morrison
HF: D.Moore, M.Lewis, J.Ginnivan
F: C.Dear, J.Gunston, N.Watson
FOLL: L.Meek, J. Newcombe, C.Nash

I/C: C.Macdonald, J.Scrimshaw, J.Ward, J.Worpel, B.Macdonald (sub)

Emg: M.Ramsden, C.Mackenzie, J.Serong

What will happen:

In: Day
Out: Maginness (inj.)

B: B.Hardwick, T.Barrass, J.Impey
HB: K.Amon, J.Battle, J.Sicily
C: M. D’Ambrosio, W.Day, H.Morrison
HF: D.Moore, M.Lewis, J.Ginnivan
F: C.Dear, J.Gunston, N.Watson
FOLL: L.Meek, J. Newcombe, C.Nash

I/C: C.Macdonald, J.Scrimshaw, J.Ward, J.Worpel, B.Macdonald (sub)

Emg: M.Ramsden, C.Mackenzie, J.Serong

Depth: S.Mitchell, J.Blanck, H.Hustwaite, S.Butler, C.Anderson, L.Breust, N.Reeves, W.McCabe, J,Scaife, M.Hill, C.Jiath, B.Ryan, J.Uhr-Henry

*Images courtesy of afl.com.au and Getty Images

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