In the latest edition of Opposition Watch, Swans Media explores Hawthorn’s camp ahead of the Sydney Swans’ clash with the Hawks at the SCG on Friday night.
Recent form
Hawthorn is placed 12th on the ladder and fell to Essendon in a 19-point defeat last Friday night in its most recent outing.
But the Hawks, who have won five games and lost seven this season, topped the Bombers in a number of key statistical areas, including disposals, inside 50s and hit-outs.
James Worpel (34 touches), Isaac Smith (31), Liam Shiels (31) and Ricky Henderson (31) were the Hawks’ major ball-winners.
Ins and outs
Former Hawthorn skipper and star forward Jarryd Roughead is among two ins for the away side.
The dual Hawthorn leading goal-kicker, who’s played a number of VFL games in recent weeks, is set for his first AFL match since Round 7.
Meanwhile, young defender Harrison Morrison will return for his first senior game since Round 10.
Key match-up
Milestone man Callum Sinclair is set to face the double act of the Hawks’ Jonathan Ceglar and Ben McEvoy in the ruck.
Sinclair has faced a host of imposing ruckmen in season 2019, including Max Gawn, Brodie Grundy and Todd Goldstein, and he awaits another significant assignment ahead of his 100th AFL match.
Last time they met
A top-four berth was up for the taking as Sydney and Hawthorn met at the SCG in the last round of season 2018, and the Hawks escaped with a nine-point win.
Shiels gathered a Hawthorn-high 26 disposals, while pocket-rocket forward Paul Puopolo booted a team-high three goals.
What they said
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson: “Jarryd (Roughead) has gone back and performed pretty credibly at Box Hill level and gets his chance on Friday night. It’s exciting for him and it’s exciting for us. It was never our intention to write his career off four or five weeks ago when he went out of the side. But he knew he needed to do some things in his game to give him the best chance of contributing at senior level and we feel he’s done that.”
