Four small forwards
Ross Lyon floated the possibility of playing four small forwards on Sunday, with Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Walters, Hayden Crozier and Max Duffy all in contention. Matthew Pavlich may feel like he’s in The Shire rather than Freo’s forward 50 zone on Sunday.
Hawthorn’s precision
Fremantle has not beaten Hawthorn since the 2010 Elimination Final. But the Hawks have been arguably the best side in the competition since then, winning a Grand Final in 2013 after a runner-up finish in 2012. They were unlucky not to reach the decider in 2011. Alastair Clarkson’s side uses surgical-like precision with it’s kicking to dissect the opposition. It will take one of Freo’s best pressure barrages to knock the Hawks off their game.
Lefties day
Today (Wednesday) is International Left Handers Day. Hawthorn has a remarkable amount of lefties in their line-up, and it’s not their hands that do most of the damage, but rather their left boots. Freo will hope one of it’s brilliant lefties, Stephen Hill, is right to play on Sunday after he missed Wednesday’s training session.
No Roughead, maybe no Gunston
The Hawks will be without their best goal kicker Jarryd Roughead who is suspended. Jack Gunston, their third leading scorer, was initially going to miss two to three weeks with a knee injury but he might be back after just one game on the sidelines. Norm Smith Medallist Brian Lake is ready to resume but may be rested given the Hawks face a six-day break returning from Perth in their round 22 game against Geelong. Freo could also be boosted by the return of Tendai Mzungu, who trained on Tuesday and will hope to overcome his hamstring injury. Michael Walters is good to go if he is selected, while Garrick Ibbotson is a test.
Talking Points ahead of Hawthorn
Four smalls, Hawthorn’s precision, lefties day and selection questions