Summary
Hawthorn has made two changes for its clash against Fremantle at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, with captain Sam Mitchell and key defender James Frawley replacing Kieran Lovell (omitted) and Cyril Rioli (family illness). 

The Hawks sit sixth on the ladder but have the lowest percentage of any team inside the top eight with 99.4. 

Having been thoroughly outclassed by GWS in Sydney in round six, Hawthorn returned to form last week against Richmond, piling on nine final quarter goals to win by 46 points. 

In its only encounter in Tasmania this season, the Hawks prevailed by three points in a thriller against a spirited St Kilda side.

Talking points: Rd 8 v Hawthorn

Forward line
Hawthorn is seventh in the league for scoring with 696 points, thanks largely to Luke Breust (17 goals), Jack Gunston (16 goals), Paul Puopolo (15 goals) and Cyril Rioli (14 goals). The Hawks’ attacking setup has a different look to it in 2016, with young tall forwards James Sicily and Tim O’Brien stepping up in the absence of Jarryd Roughead. Breust said Fremantle’s defence would be challenged. “When Cyril’s up and about, myself, Poppy [Puopolo], and you throw Gunston and guys like that in the mix as well, it just means that defences are trying to shut down one option and hopefully someone else can bite them,” he said.

Midfield
Hawthorn boasts an effective disposal rate of 75 per cent - third only to the Bulldogs (75.9 per cent) and the Saints (75.2 per cent). Leading the way in the midfield is Taylor Duryea (82.9 per cent), while ten other midfielders are disposing above 70 per cent effectiveness this season. Will Langford provides a hard edge at stoppages, averaging 12 contested possessions and 4.8 clearances per match. He is supported by Mitchell (11.7 contested possessions, 6.3 clearances) and Jordan Lewis (9.7 contested possessions, 4.9 clearances), who has been filling in captaincy duties in the absence of Mitchell and Luke Hodge. Breust said strength at the contest would go a long way towards deciding the result. “It was definitely a focus last week, along with the defensive side of our game,” he said. “[Contested possessions] is certainly a huge stat to win.”

Defence
Hawthorn’s defence is the tenth stingiest in the league, conceding an average of 100 points per game. Ben Stratton and Josh Gibson lead the back line, with 55 and 46 one-percenters respectively. Gibson’s judgment to roll off his man has yielded 5.8 marks and 2.7 rebound 50s per game - the most of any Hawks defender. The ability of ruckmen John Ceglar and Ben McEvoy to assist in defence when needed has also been a strength.

Missing in action
Having already broken his wrist earlier this season, Hodge is battling a knee injury and could be out for another five weeks. Key position utility Ryan Schoenmakers will miss at least another week with groin soreness while Roughead is unlikely to return to the side before the mid-season bye.

Stray facts
The Hill brothers, Bradley and Stephen, have faced each other six times in AFL football. Bradley’s Hawks have prevailed on five occasions, including the 2013 Grand Final and last year’s Preliminary Final. 

Of the 29 Hawks to have played senior football in 2016, only Mark Pittonet (6 possessions from one match), Schoenmakers (7.3 possessions over three matches) and O’Brien (9.8 possessions over four matches) average less than 10 touches per game. However, only Mitchell (33.8) averages over 25, with Lewis the next best accumulating 23.9 possessions per match. 

Fremantle take on Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston on Saturday 14 May. Bounce down is 2.10pm EST.