TonyK
CibbuanoRound nineteen preview: Hawthorn v St Kilda
August 7th 2009 15:08
VENUE and TIME: Aurora Stadium, Saturday 8 August, 2.10pm (AEST)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 145, Hawthorn 74, St Kilda 70, Draws: 1
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 18.10 (118) def St Kilda 9.10 (64), 2008 Preliminary Final at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: The honours have been shared in the past four clashes between these two sides.
FORM: Hawthorn was made to pay for their poor kicking in front of goal last weekend, going down to Port Adelaide by 18 points. The reigning premiers are in 10th place on the AFL ladder with an 8-10 win-loss record. St Kilda maintained its unbeaten start to the season with a thrilling one-point win over Sydney at the SCG last Saturday night.
MEDICAL ROOM: Hawthorn duo Xavier Ellis and Brent Guerra will miss the clash against St Kilda with ankle and shoulder injuries respectively. Stuart Dew (hamstring) and Mark Williams (knee) face a race against time to be fit to play again this season while Tim Boyle (knee), Trent Croad (foot), Rick Ladson (knee) and Clinton Young (hip) won’t play again in 2009. For the Saints, ruckman Michael Gardiner and midfielder Luke Ball return from calf and chest injuries but Nick Riewoldt (concussion), Leigh Montagna (elbow), Brendon Goddard (knee), Steven Baker (knee) Lenny Hayes (back) and Sam Fisher are out. Matt Maguire (hamstring) and Sam Gilbert (back) remain unavailable while Jarryd Allen (hip) and Xavier Clarke (knee) are out for the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Clinton Jones vs. Sam Mitchell
Mitchell led from the front against Port Adelaide, helping himself to a team-high 28 possessions and five inside 50’s.
The Hawthorn skipper is damaging with his ability to use the football cleanly by hand and foot.
Limiting his influence in the middle will be a key for St Kilda if they are going to starve the Hawks talent laden forward line of quality supply.
Jones has quelled the influence of some of the AFL’ s premier midfielders so far this season and will be given the task of tagging Mitchell.
Mitchell will need his teammates to block for him at the stoppages if he is going to have any hope of having an impact as Jones will apply relentless pressure all day.
Stephen Gilham vs. Justin Koschitzke
With Riewoldt out of the side Koschitzke becomes St Kilda’s focal point up forward.
Koschitzke has booted 37 goals in 16 games this season and will need to fire on Saturday if the Saints are going to maintain their unbeaten run.
Gilham is Hawthorn’s best defender and will be given the job on Koschitzke in what will be a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
The 24-year-old will need his teammates to suffocate St Kilda’s midfield with their pressure skills otherwise Koschitzke will feast on plenty of quality supply.
Max Hudghton vs. Lance Franklin
The last time the Hawks played at Aurora Stadium in round 15 Franklin kicked four goals to lift his side to a thrilling win over North Melbourne..
The reigning premiers will need a similar performance from last year’s Coleman medallist against the ladder leaders if they are going to keep their season alive.
However, his task won’t be an easy one as he will most likely be matched up by Hudghton who kept him to just one goal when these two sides met in a preliminary final last year.
It is vital for the Hawks that Franklin - who booted 2.7 against Port Adelaide - finds his range early and gets his confidence up as he won’t have that many scoring opportunities against Hudghton who is regarded as one of the best defenders in the competition.
Chance Bateman vs. Nick Dal Santo
Dal Santo has been instrumental in his side’s success in 2009, averaging a team-high 28 disposals per game.
The 25-year-old is able to consistently set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.
Hawthorn will need to keep him quiet if they are going to have any hope of containing a St Kilda forward line that is the third most productive in the AFL.
When these two sides met in a preliminary final last year Bateman did a superb blanketing job on Dal Santo, keeping the Saints star to just 15 possessions.
Expect Bateman to be given the job of running with Dal Santo once again.
Hawthorn will need Bateman to be proactive and push forward at every available opportunity as it will force Dal Santo to be accountable which in turn will help limit his impact on the contest as a damaging midfielder.
VERDICT: The equation is simple for Hawthorn - win and they remain in the hunt for a top-eight finish - lose and their season is over. St Kilda may be undefeated this year but they showed signs of vulnerability against Sydney last weekend and will be without six of their best 22, including three of their most prolific ball winners in Montagna, Hayes and Goddard. Expect the Hawks to get on top at the stoppages and provide Jarryd Roughead, Franklin and co. with enough of the football to kick a winning score in what promises to be a tight struggle. Hawks by 12 points.
HAWTHORN v ST KILDA
HAWTHORN
B: Thomas Murphy, Stephen Gilham, Brendan Whitecross
HB: Travis Tuck, Ryan Schoenmakers, Grant Birchall
C: Chance Bateman, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Michael Osborne
F: Brent Renouf, Jarryd Roughead, Campbell Brown
Foll: Simon Taylor, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
I/C: Robert Campbell, Ben McGlynn, Josh Kennedy, Liam Shiels
Emg: Beau Dowler, Shane Savage, Matt Suckling
In: Campbell, Osborne, Tuck
Out: Brent Guerra (shoulder), Xavier Ellis (ankle), Cameron Stokes
ST KILDA
B: Jason Blake, Max Hudghton, Raphael Clarke
HB: Zac Dawson, Sam Fisher, Farren Ray
C: Jarryn Geary, Andrew McQualter, Adam Schneider
HF: Jason Gram, Justin Koschitzke, Robert Eddy
F: Clint Jones, Michael Gardiner, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
I/C: Sean Dempster, James Gwilt, Ben McEvoy, Jack Steven
Emg: David Armitage, Colm Begley, Nick Heyne
In: Gardiner, Dawson, Ball, Steven, Geary
Out: Nick Riewoldt (concussion), Leigh Montagna (elbow), Brendon Goddard (knee), Steven Baker (knee), Lenny Hayes (back)
* Sam Fisher will miss the clash against Hawthorn but a replacement is yet to be named.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played: 145, Hawthorn 74, St Kilda 70, Draws: 1
LAST TIME: Hawthorn 18.10 (118) def St Kilda 9.10 (64), 2008 Preliminary Final at the MCG
RECENT HISTORY: The honours have been shared in the past four clashes between these two sides.
FORM: Hawthorn was made to pay for their poor kicking in front of goal last weekend, going down to Port Adelaide by 18 points. The reigning premiers are in 10th place on the AFL ladder with an 8-10 win-loss record. St Kilda maintained its unbeaten start to the season with a thrilling one-point win over Sydney at the SCG last Saturday night.
MEDICAL ROOM: Hawthorn duo Xavier Ellis and Brent Guerra will miss the clash against St Kilda with ankle and shoulder injuries respectively. Stuart Dew (hamstring) and Mark Williams (knee) face a race against time to be fit to play again this season while Tim Boyle (knee), Trent Croad (foot), Rick Ladson (knee) and Clinton Young (hip) won’t play again in 2009. For the Saints, ruckman Michael Gardiner and midfielder Luke Ball return from calf and chest injuries but Nick Riewoldt (concussion), Leigh Montagna (elbow), Brendon Goddard (knee), Steven Baker (knee) Lenny Hayes (back) and Sam Fisher are out. Matt Maguire (hamstring) and Sam Gilbert (back) remain unavailable while Jarryd Allen (hip) and Xavier Clarke (knee) are out for the season.
KEY MATCH-UPS: Clinton Jones vs. Sam Mitchell
Mitchell led from the front against Port Adelaide, helping himself to a team-high 28 possessions and five inside 50’s.
The Hawthorn skipper is damaging with his ability to use the football cleanly by hand and foot.
Limiting his influence in the middle will be a key for St Kilda if they are going to starve the Hawks talent laden forward line of quality supply.
Jones has quelled the influence of some of the AFL’ s premier midfielders so far this season and will be given the task of tagging Mitchell.
Mitchell will need his teammates to block for him at the stoppages if he is going to have any hope of having an impact as Jones will apply relentless pressure all day.
Stephen Gilham vs. Justin Koschitzke
With Riewoldt out of the side Koschitzke becomes St Kilda’s focal point up forward.
Koschitzke has booted 37 goals in 16 games this season and will need to fire on Saturday if the Saints are going to maintain their unbeaten run.
Gilham is Hawthorn’s best defender and will be given the job on Koschitzke in what will be a pivotal duel in determining the outcome of this match.
The 24-year-old will need his teammates to suffocate St Kilda’s midfield with their pressure skills otherwise Koschitzke will feast on plenty of quality supply.
Max Hudghton vs. Lance Franklin
The last time the Hawks played at Aurora Stadium in round 15 Franklin kicked four goals to lift his side to a thrilling win over North Melbourne..
The reigning premiers will need a similar performance from last year’s Coleman medallist against the ladder leaders if they are going to keep their season alive.
However, his task won’t be an easy one as he will most likely be matched up by Hudghton who kept him to just one goal when these two sides met in a preliminary final last year.
It is vital for the Hawks that Franklin - who booted 2.7 against Port Adelaide - finds his range early and gets his confidence up as he won’t have that many scoring opportunities against Hudghton who is regarded as one of the best defenders in the competition.
Chance Bateman vs. Nick Dal Santo
Dal Santo has been instrumental in his side’s success in 2009, averaging a team-high 28 disposals per game.
The 25-year-old is able to consistently set up scoring opportunities for his teammates with his clean use of the football.
Hawthorn will need to keep him quiet if they are going to have any hope of containing a St Kilda forward line that is the third most productive in the AFL.
When these two sides met in a preliminary final last year Bateman did a superb blanketing job on Dal Santo, keeping the Saints star to just 15 possessions.
Expect Bateman to be given the job of running with Dal Santo once again.
Hawthorn will need Bateman to be proactive and push forward at every available opportunity as it will force Dal Santo to be accountable which in turn will help limit his impact on the contest as a damaging midfielder.
VERDICT: The equation is simple for Hawthorn - win and they remain in the hunt for a top-eight finish - lose and their season is over. St Kilda may be undefeated this year but they showed signs of vulnerability against Sydney last weekend and will be without six of their best 22, including three of their most prolific ball winners in Montagna, Hayes and Goddard. Expect the Hawks to get on top at the stoppages and provide Jarryd Roughead, Franklin and co. with enough of the football to kick a winning score in what promises to be a tight struggle. Hawks by 12 points.
HAWTHORN v ST KILDA
HAWTHORN
B: Thomas Murphy, Stephen Gilham, Brendan Whitecross
HB: Travis Tuck, Ryan Schoenmakers, Grant Birchall
C: Chance Bateman, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Michael Osborne
F: Brent Renouf, Jarryd Roughead, Campbell Brown
Foll: Simon Taylor, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell
I/C: Robert Campbell, Ben McGlynn, Josh Kennedy, Liam Shiels
Emg: Beau Dowler, Shane Savage, Matt Suckling
In: Campbell, Osborne, Tuck
Out: Brent Guerra (shoulder), Xavier Ellis (ankle), Cameron Stokes
ST KILDA
B: Jason Blake, Max Hudghton, Raphael Clarke
HB: Zac Dawson, Sam Fisher, Farren Ray
C: Jarryn Geary, Andrew McQualter, Adam Schneider
HF: Jason Gram, Justin Koschitzke, Robert Eddy
F: Clint Jones, Michael Gardiner, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo
I/C: Sean Dempster, James Gwilt, Ben McEvoy, Jack Steven
Emg: David Armitage, Colm Begley, Nick Heyne
In: Gardiner, Dawson, Ball, Steven, Geary
Out: Nick Riewoldt (concussion), Leigh Montagna (elbow), Brendon Goddard (knee), Steven Baker (knee), Lenny Hayes (back)
* Sam Fisher will miss the clash against Hawthorn but a replacement is yet to be named.
| 20 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
