Match
Round 10: Melbourne v Hawthorn
Details
Sunday, June 2, 3.20pm (local time), MCG
Broadcast guide
http://www.afl.com.au/tv-radio/broadcast-guide
Form
Melbourne: L L L W L L L L L
Hawthorn: L W W W W W W W W
Ladder position
Melbourne: 17th
Hawthorn: 1st
Milestones
Melbourne: -
Hawthorn: -
Coaching records
Mark Neeld: 31 matches, 5 wins, 0 draws, 26 losses
Alistair Clarkson: 185 matches, 108 wins, 1 draw, 76 losses
Injury lists
Melbourne: Sam Blease (concussion) test, Mitch Clark (foot) 5-6 weeks, Jack Grimes (shoulder) 5-6 weeks, Tom McDonald (shoulder) test, Dean Terlich (ribs) test, Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) test, Jack Viney (toe) 2-3 weeks
Hawthorn: Cyril Rioli (hamstring) TBC, Brendan Whitecross (knee) 1-2 weeks, Ryan Schoenmakers (knee) season, Matt Suckling (knee) season, Alex Woodward (knee) season
Players to watch
Melbourne: Jack Trengove
The Melbourne co-captain was one of the few shining lights for the Demons last weekend. Trengove led from the front, laying six tackles and gathering 20 touches. The young midfielder continues to improve each week after missing much of the pre-season with a foot injury.
Hawthorn: Bradley Hill
Hill has stepped into the void left by Cyril Rioli, adding plenty of excitement and dash to the Hawthorn team. Now in his second year, Hill uses his blistering pace to full advantage.
Match-ups to watch
Max Gawn v Brian Lake
Gawn is starting to make genuine progress, now that he’s been able to string games together. Lake is also settling into his role at the Hawks after crossing from the Bulldogs. It should be an interesting battle between, given Gawn has the height advantage and Lake has maturity on his side.
James Frawley v Lance Franklin
It’s always exciting when a first class forward and defender match-up. Frawley is one of the few defenders in the league who has the size and speed to go with Franklin. But Frawley will need plenty of assistance to stop one of the best in the business.
Most disposals
Melbourne: Nathan Jones (198)
Hawthorn: Sam Mitchell (278)
Most marks
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (62)
Hawthorn: Ben Stratton (53)
Most tackles
Melbourne: Jack Trengove (40)
Hawthorn: Luke Breust (39)
Most goals
Melbourne: Jeremy Howe (15)
Hawthorn: Lance Franklin (25)
What Melbourne says …
“We come up against a class opponent this weekend in Hawthorn, so we need to get back to the effort we showed against Richmond. Our major aim is to get consistency, not only within a game but also week after week.” – Melbourne director of sports performance Neil Craig
What Hawthorn says …
“I think it’s been shown in the AFL that you have to be right on your game to win every game. We’ve just got to come out and play four quarters of footy, which we probably haven’t done this year.” – Hawthorn midfielder Isaac Smith on hawthornfc.com.au
How does Melbourne limit Hawthorn’s possessions?
The Hawks have had the most disposals in the league this season. It has also been well publicised that the Demons have had the least. To combat this, the Dees will have to smother the Hawks at each contest. The Demons have been tracking well with their hit-outs, and will look to use this to their advantage.
Key Hawthorn question
Will there be any complacency?
The Hawks were stunned into action last weekend when the Gold Coast Suns got the jump on them. The Suns showed plenty of character against the Hawks and it wasn’t until the second half when the brown and gold turned it on.
Summary
This will be one almighty challenge for the Demons. Taking on the top of the table Hawks won’t be easy. The Dees will have to be at their absolute best and compete for four quarters to make it a genuine contest.
