The Fremantle Dockers travel to the Apple Isle this Saturday looking to put an end to the Hawks 16-game winning streak at their home away from home in Launceston.
The Hawks’ run was almost broken the last time they travelled to Aurora Stadium – getting home by just 3 points against St Kilda in round four – and Freo will be looking to go one better.
Freo’s forward’s have their best opportunity in a long time to get the better of Hawthorn’s defence, with the three-time reigning premiers leaking an extra five-goals per game in 2016.
Matthew Pavlich looms as a big out for Freo, with the 34-year-old averaging 1.4 goals and 6.6 score involvements in 2016.
No Tassie for Pav
But, with Michael Walters in career best form – averaging 2 goals, 5.9 inside 50s, 7.4 score involvements, and 2.1 marks inside 50 – and Chris Mayne standing up with 3 majors against the Giants, Freo have a strong forward setup.
The Hawks are down on their attacking numbers from 2015 – falling from an average 111-points per match last year to just under 100 this year – and will be without the services of star Cyril Rioli.
Rioli has maintained the form that saw him claim the 2015 Norm Smith medal – averaging 2 goals, 5.4 score involvements, and 3.3 inside 50s – and will leave a big gap in the Hawks’ forward 50.
Rioli’s absence will allow Freo’s defence to put more time in to Hawthorn’s leading goal kickers Luke Breust (17) and Jack Gunston (16).
20-year-old tall Alex Pearce will play a large role in defence, with his average 4.8 intercept-possessions and 5.8 one-percenters being pivotal to keeping Jack Gunston at bay.
Defenders Lee Spurr and Cam Sutcliffe are leading the club in marking – 7.4 and 5.7 – and rebound 50s – 3.4 and 4.1 – and will be vital in closing down the space Luke Breust has to play with.
Freo will be eager to improve on their average 38 hitouts, and have recalled ruckman Zac Clarke (13 hitouts) to pair with fellow bigman Jonathon Griffin (21 hitouts).
With Hawthorn ranked second in the competition for hitouts – averaging 47 per outing – Clark and Griffin will be keys in bringing down Hawks’ ruckmen Ben McEvoy (22 hitouts) and Jonathon Ceglar (19 hitouts).
Clarke and Griffin will also play a huge role in helping Freo ball-magnet Lachie Neale get first use of the ball.
Neale is second in the competition for disposals – 32.6 per match – and leads Freo for contested possessions (16.7) and clearances (6.7).
He is also the competition’s ninth ranked player in AFL Fantasy, scoring an average 108.4 points per match.
