What difference will the experience make?
The experienced Mark Jamar, James Kelly and Mathew Stokes all return to the side this week with Coaches hoping that they will provide plenty of leadership on the field. Kelly and Stokes will certainly be welcome inclusions given their history against the Hawks. The two were part of the infamous ‘Kennett Curse’ that saw the Cats win eleven straight games against the Hawks from 2009 until 2013. Essendon will be hoping that Kelly will be able to pick off from where he left off, while Worsfold is confident that Stokes and Jamar will be important to the team dynamics.
What Shaw Said:
“To see the two experienced boys back in (Kelly and Stokes) for the two injuries, I think it’s a common sense approach.
“They bring experience. I think there’s enough kids in this game at the moment.”
How do you stop the forwards?
The real danger for the Bombers will be Hawthorn’s forwards. Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston and Brad Hill combined for 10 goals last time the two teams played. Stopping these three, as well as nullifying the always dangerous Cyril Rioli, will be the key for the Dons. In the absence of Mark Baguley, Coaches will be looking towards Matt Dea to keep his good form going and even take his game to the next level. Patrick Ambrose could serve as a good match against Gunston.
What Shaw Said:
“We know we’ll miss Bafuley, we know we’ll miss Hartley and have to adjust our backline.”
To tag, or not to tag?
The question raised by Robert Shaw is an interesting one, especially give the absence of both Ryan Crowley and the Hawks’ Sam Mitchell from the game. However, as Shaw argued, the depth of the Hawthorn midfield means that they still poise a big threat. Hawthorn currently ranks fourth in the competition for clearances, averaging close to 40 a game. Craig Bird will be important in helping to nullify some of the opposition midfielders, but could it be Zach Merrett who plays a different role this week? Shaw highlighted that the youngster could take a similar path to that of Sydney’s Tom Mitchell, who rotates between playing a tagging role and a more traditional midfield role. The danger players that the Bombers will need to be aware of, according to Shaw, are Smith, Hill and Lewis.
What Shaw Said:
“There might be an opportunity for the development of Zach Merret.
“I’ve always thought that Hawthorn’s two most important players, given the way they play and the way they transfer the ball out of the backline, are certainly Smith and Hill on wings.
“When they are nullified and put out, Hawthorn can be a little bit exposed in terms of their ball movement.”
