A team effort will be the only way to limit the impact of a dangerous Hawthorn forward line on Thursday night, according to Sydney Swans senior assistant coach Stuart Dew.
The Hawks travel to the SCG for the top-of-the-table clash with the Swans, boasting a forward line with names such as Cyril Rioli, Paul Puopolo and Jack Gunston.
The trio has combined for 92 goals this season and together form an imposing threat inside the forward 50.
Dew said it would be important for the midfield to get on top early in the contest to limit the supply to Hawthorn’s forward line.
“It’s a team effort to try and limit the damage in terms of how many times it gets inside forward 50,” Dew said.
“You have to impact the ball use and really pressure the ball, but if you give them time and space they will certainly hit the scoreboard.”
A big factor to winning the ball through the middle of the ground will be the pairing of Callum Sinclair and Sam Naismith in the ruck.
In just his second AFL game, Naismith dominated the ruck with 25 hit outs in last Friday night’s win over Geelong.
Dew said the 205cm big man provided a point of difference for the Swans at the centre bounces.
“It was a really good game from Sam. It is what we have been hoping for from him for a while, but he has had some injury issues,” Dew said.
“He has finally strung a few together and certainly to be able to get on top in the centre of the ground added a new dimension to us.
“We’ll be looking for him to back it up again – he should take a lot of confidence out of last week.”
Dew also praised the impact of young Swans Callum Mills, Tom Papley and Aliir Aliir for their performance against the Cats.
