On Saturday, the Hawks return to GMHBA Stadium for a crucial match that holds significant implications with only eight games left in the season for both teams. Hawthorn’s appearances at Kardinia Park have been sparse, having played there only twice in the past 18 years, including a match in the COVID-disrupted 2020 season with limited crowd attendance.
Geelong enters the contest on the back of a strong rebound victory over Essendon last week, while Hawthorn arrives as one of the hottest teams in the competition, having won seven of their last eight games. Currently, Geelong sits 5th on the ladder with a record of 9 wins and 6 losses, while Hawthorn occupies 13th place with 8 wins and 7 losses.
Hawthorn’s strength lies notably in their stoppage work, particularly their dominance in clearances, which has been pivotal in their recent success. They have outperformed their opponents in the clearance battle in five of their last six games, highlighted by a commanding 38-21 clearance victory over the Eagles last week. James Worpel and Jai Newcombe stand out as key drivers in Hawthorn’s midfield, both ranking among the top 20 in clearances across the league. Worpel’s stellar performance earned him a perfect 10 coaches’ votes in their recent match, while Conor Nash and Will Day also contribute significantly to their midfield prowess.
Unlike relying on one dominant ball carrier, Hawthorn thrives on a collective effort in disposal, with Jai Newcombe leading the team with an average of 24 disposals per game. Six players in total average over 20 possessions per game, reflecting their balanced approach despite ranking 11th in total disposals league-wide. Recently, their efficiency with possession has been as potent as any team in the competition.
In terms of distribution, Hawthorn excels in feeding the ball to key playmakers like Karl Amon and Massimo D’Ambrosio. Amon, averaging 22 disposals per game, leads the team in rebound 50s and uncontested possessions with an impressive 82% disposal efficiency. D’Ambrosio, enjoying a breakout season with 20 disposals per game, plays a crucial role on the wing, complementing Amon’s influence in transitioning play from defense to attack.
For Geelong to prevail, they will need to contain Hawthorn’s key distributors and disrupt their midfield dominance, particularly focusing on limiting Amon and D’Ambrosio’s impact in moving the ball effectively forward.