Coming off a disappointing 18-point loss to Port Adelaide in Round 21, Hawthorn will be pushing to finish out the season and remain in the top four.
They now have two week’s to rectify their form before finals and are expected to bounce back with a vengeance against the Lions at their Launceston fortress this Saturday.
Yet it won’t be smooth sailing for the Hawk’s with two key changes coming out of their party this week.
After an incident in last Friday’s match, Hawthorn Captain Luke Hodge has been offered a two-game sanction by the MRP. The ban will see him miss this weekend’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania.
Also coming out of Hawthorn this week is the resignation of Hawthorn assistant coach Brendon Bolton, who has been appointed as Carlton Football Club’s Senior Coach.
After six seasons with the club, as both midfield and forwards coach, Bolton will leave the Hawks prior to Round 22 match on Saturday to commence his new role.
Damian Carroll will step into the assistant coaching role vacated by Bolton for the remainder of the season.
Keep your eye on
James Sicily
Hawthorn forward James Sicily marked his return from injury with a stunning eight-goal performance for Box Hill Hawks on Saturday.
Sicily’s haul helped his side claim a 90-point win against Northern Blues at Preston City Oval.
It was the 20-year-old’s first match back from surgery on his left hand, and he was pleased with his return and the team’s performance.
“It was good to contribute, I found the footy a bit and the hands were good… which was a bit surprising coming back from surgery,” he said.
Six of Sicily’s eight goals were from set shots, and the up-and-coming forward was quick to praise the delivery from the Hawk’s midfield.
Hawthorn-listed midfielders Will Langford and Jonathan O’Rourke were also named among the Hawks’ best players.
Cyril Rioli
In Friday night’s match against Port, Hawthorn’s Cyril Rioli came into flight in the third term, setting up three goals, with his pass to Paul Puopolo in the dying seconds of the quarter setting up an after-the-siren goal that brought the Hawks back to within one point.
He then kicked the Hawks’ first goal of final term to give his side a sniff after the Power had kicked the first three goals of the term.
Whoever takes on Rioli will be on his toes to keep this goal-scorer in line and prevent any last minute goals.
Injury watch
Will Langford and David Hale are both expected to be in consideration for senior selection this week.
Langford is in “serious contention” after a strong performance for VFL affiliate Box Hill Hawks in his second match back from a knee injury.
As well, ruckman-forward Hale should be available for Saturday’s clash with Brisbane Lions after missing the Hawks’ loss to Port Adelaide with general soreness.
