ANALYSIS Opposition Analysis | Round 17 – Geelong v Hawthorn

03/07/2024 Raymond 0

On Saturday, the Hawks are set to return to GMHBA Stadium for a crucial match with significant implications as the season enters its final stretch. Hawthorn, despite infrequent visits to Kardinia Park in recent years, arrives in strong form, having won seven of their last eight games. Their success has been anchored by dominant performances in clearances, led by midfield stalwarts James Worpel and Jai Newcombe, both instrumental in their recent victories. Geelong, meanwhile, seeks to build on a rebound win against Essendon and must strategize to counter Hawthorn’s effective midfield and distribution tactics, particularly focusing on limiting the impact of key players like Karl Amon and Massimo D’Ambrosio.

Five things we learned against the Hawks

01/07/2024 Raymond 0

Firstly, credit must be given to the Hawks, who were hungrier and outperformed West Coast in every aspect of the game at Optus Stadium. Warning signs were evident from the opening plays for the Eagles, and the gap could have been much larger than 17 points at the first break if Hawthorn had capitalized on their chances. Unfortunately, as the game progressed, things did not improve, with key statistics overwhelmingly in favor of Hawthorn. As coach Adam Simpson noted post-game, this defeat highlighted a collective failure to match Hawthorn’s hunt and pressure, which overwhelmed West Coast.

Footy Flashbacks: Hawks eyeing off a six-year first

26/06/2024 Raymond 0

Hawthorn is aiming for their fifth consecutive win this Sunday, a streak they haven’t achieved since 2018. They are also striving for three consecutive victories against West Coast, a record last matched between 2012 and 2015. This season, several Hawthorn players have reached significant milestones: Jarman Impey, James Worpel, and James Sicily each played their 100th game, while Connor Macdonald reached 50 games in number 31.

In Round 14, Hawthorn drew a crowd of 92,311, the second-largest attendance for a home and away game, and they have recorded multiple 70,000-plus attendances this season for the eighth time in club history. Historically, Hawthorn’s Round 16 performance is strong, with significant winning streaks and notable victories over the years. Jarryd Roughead set a club record with eight goals against West Coast in 2014, surpassing previous records held by Jason Dunstall.