Hawthorn Hawks v Adelaide Crows
1st Elimination final

VENUE & TIME :
Telstra Dome, 2.30 pm AEST, Saturday 8 September

HEAD TO HEAD :
Hawthorn - 9, Adelaide – 15

LAST TIME :
Adelaide 15.12 (102) def Hawthorn 4.7 (31),
Round 14, 2007, at AAMI Stadium

THE TEAMS

Hawthorn
B: Guerra Gilham Birchall
HB: Brown Croad Ladson
C: Young Mitchell Lewis
HF: Crawford Boyle Bateman
F: Franklin Roughead Dixon
FOLL: Campbell Hodge Rover: Sewell
I/C: McGlynn Smith Taylor Vandenberg
EMER: Ellis Osborne Tuck

Adelaide
B: Johncock Rutten Stevens
HB: McLeod Bock Torney
C: Burton Goodwin van Berlo
HF: Knights Gill Reilly
F: Porplyzia Ricciuto Welsh
FOLL: Hudson Edwards Rover: Thompson
I/C: Massie Griffin Shirley McGregor
EMER: Perrie Douglas Mattner
IN: McGregor
OUT: Mattner

Preview :

Hawthorn returns to September action for the first time in six years. Alastair Clarkson’s men will be looking to avenge for a heavy loss to Sydney last week. The Hawks have named an unchanged side for the match. Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell have been their best players all year and will need to rise to the top once again if they are to win.

Richie Vandenberg announced his retirement on Thursday with chronic back problems, although the Hawks say the midfield player is available to play the Crows.

Adelaide sneaked into the eight with a win over Collingwood last week and are a danger side given their vast experience. Andrew McLeod and Scott Thompson were outstanding in the Crows' victory over Collingwood.

Skipper Mark Ricciuto who could be lacing his boots for the final game if Adelaide lose.

The Verdict

The young Hawks were just awful against Sydney and suffered their biggest loss of the season. Plus, their previous worst performance this year was against the Crows.

Adelaide has won the last 4 times the teams have meet and think the Hawks will struggle to beat them this time as well.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Tip - Take the Crows by 4 goals.