Hawks face test against Magpies’ in-form AFL machine
Roger Vaughan |
Sam Mitchell concedes Hawthorn could have done without Collingwood’s imposing AFL selections.
But even without the returns of captain Darcy Moore, veterans Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom and goalsneaks Bobby Hill and Lachie Schultz, the Hawks coach says the Magpies are a well-oiled machine that would take some beating.
Friday night’s MCG blockbuster is a key test for Hawthorn, who are coming off losses to fellow top-four contenders Gold Coast and Brisbane.
After the ladder-leading Magpies, the Hawks will face the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide before their round-15 bye.
It is a crucial run of games for Hawthorn against current top-eight teams.
The problem for Mitchell and his Hawks on Friday night is while they feel they have a good handle on what it takes to beat Collingwood, doing so is another matter.
It is Collingwood’s system, much more than their talent, that make the Magpies such tough opponents.
“We have some thoughts about the way Collingwood play. Because they’ve been successful in this recent time, I feel like everyone has a reasonable grasp – it’s very, very difficult to stop the way that they play,” Mitchell said.
“Having some individual inclusions, they’re not a team that really changes too much because of personnel.
“They’re a very system-based side. There are some quality players that it would have been nice if they had another couple of weeks off, but we’re ready for whoever plays.”
While the Magpies started round 12 on top of the ladder, Hawthorn have faltered since their 4-0 start to the season and are sixth on 7-4.
They are far from being in crisis, but last week’s loss to Brisbane was frustrating and Mitchell took out his emotions by punching at an advertising hoarding in the coaches’ box.
“The challenge for last week was the players were trying hard and the effort was not going into the right places,” Mitchell said
“A lot of the time we did some good things and we just couldn’t finish our work … then we’d go away from what we meant to do.
“There were some challenges for the players and that was felt by all the Hawthorn people – fans, coaches, players themselves.”
Hawthorn made one change for Friday night, recalling Jarman Impey for Cam Mackenzie.
AAP
