The Hawks will be in their element Saturday, playing an easy fixture but one that will bring fans from all corners.
They take on the Brisbane Lions, a team that failed to impress last year, finishing a woeful 12th.
The Hawks have a brilliant track record against the Lions, winning the last four matches they’ve played by 75, 42, 65 and 58 points. The Lions’ last win over the Hawks was in round 12 in 2009.
Hawthorn has to consider their new look team as they start their journey to the finals on Saturday. Without star player Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin’s it means the defending champs no longer have a player listed in the top 10 of the Official AFL Player Rankings. Cyril Rioli comes in at no.11 but he won’t play this week because of suspension.
With several names missing, the Lions might be able to use it to their advantage by getting on top in the midfield and dominating the inside 50s.
A couple of round one upsets last week showed underdogs can make strong teams flounder.
No one expected both GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns to make a dent in the Sydney Swans and Richmond respectively, but both came out victorious.
Greater Western Sydney beat thunder, lightning and rain to push past the Swans in a 32 point lead. Not even Lance Franklin could help the Swans tread water, showing the Giants aren’t going to be the competition’s “easybeats” anymore.
Gary Ablett’s Gold Coast won their match with an 18 points lead despite having two players, débutant Jack Martin and forward Charlie Dixon, leave the pitch injured.
Freemantle showed its grand final place was well deserved as it beat Collingwood with a massing 70 point difference, while Carlton lost out to Port Adelaide in 33 points.
This weekend St Kilda is up against Melbourne while the West Coast Eagles take on the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
