Hawthorn Hawks v Western Bulldogs
AFL Aussie Rules : Australia : AFL Premiership,
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne
Friday, 2nd July 2010, Start 19:40 AEST

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This is the match of the week and the Friday night blockbuster at the G’ will tell us a lot about each team. The Dogs’ last match was a mauling of the Eagles in Perth while the Hawks relied on some Buddy Franklin brilliance to get them over the line against the Bombers two weeks ago.

The Hawks have won their last 6 and will be aiming to consolidate a spot in the top 8, while the Bulldogs could move to fourth with a victory.

Hawthorn Hawks (8th, 7-6)

The Hawks are on a 6 match winning streak and are beginning to get close to their best from their Premiership year of 2008. Their big names are starting to fire more regularly and the team is playing with more confidence than they did in the first 6 weeks of the year. Hawthorn will appreciate this game being played at the MCG, as their opponents favour the roof of Etihad Stadium, while the Hawks have a fair record at the G.

Down back the Hawks have been hit hard with injuries namely Josh Gibson. Gibson is close to full fitness and may make his return from a lengthy hamstring injury this Friday, however club officials have called his situation ‘touch and go’, and he could spend 1 more week in the reserves. In recent weeks Thomas Murphy and Grant Birchall have stood up and they will need to be at their best again this week with the Dogs posing a multi pronged offensive threat.

In the middle for the Hawks you can always rely on three names; Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell. Between these three there is skill, experience and hardness and a willingness to fight tooth and nail. These men will be key figure to the Hawks’ chances come Friday and if they win their share of centre clearances it will stand the Hawks in good stead as they have a strong forward line. Other key contributors include Jordan Lewis, Chance Bateman and the elusive Cyril Rioli if he floats through the centre. These are the second tier Hawk midfielders but they need to be near the best as the Doggies run pretty deep through the middle.

Buddy Franklin starred last round against Essendon and made us remember why he won the Coleman Medal in 08 and just how freakish his talents are. He will have to be fit and firing against a fast Bulldogs defence but if Franklin can get enough ball, say maybe 15 + touches it could be a night out for him.

His mate Jarryd Roughead needs to lift in this big clash and will have to be switched on so he can take some of the pressure off Franklin. Cyril Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne will offer more options up forward for Hawthorn and their crumbing skills and tackling ability should put serious pressure on the Dogs’ defence.

Western Bulldogs (5th, 8-5)

The Doggies have had a rest after returning from Perth so they cannot use travel as an excuse this week. There is talk they may have turned the corner after an ordinary start to the year for their standards. Friday night will be a real test for the Doggies and they will be looking to make a statement.

The defence is yet again led by Brian Lake. At the half way stage of the season many expert AFL media people are naming him as their full back in the All Australian team. There is no doubt he has been good this year, but it cannot end now for Lake as his importance to the Dogs is massive. He will be supported by Dale Morris and Ryan Hargrave, while the likes of Liam Picken and Lindsay Gilbee will be asked to rebound the ball out of the defensive 50 and toward the offensive 50 for the Doggies. Robert Murphy has found things tough this year as a forward flanker, but his expertise down back is being spoken about as the catalyst for the Dogs’ form reversal.

The midfield is always going to a positive for the Dogs. Adam Cooney and Daniel Cross are the two most reliable figures alongside Matthew Boyd. These three will need to do the same as the Hawks big name trio in the middle in order to assert some authority on the game. Ryan Griffen, Nathan Eagleton and Daniel Giansiracusa will be the second tier players in the centre for the Doggies, however it is here where they have an advantage because of their leg speed and exceptional use of the ball, not to mention the ability if these guys to pop up and score.

Josh Hill has been quiet for a while now and will be feeling the pressure starting to mount against him up forward for the Bulldogs. He can be expected to come out firing to take some of the heat off Barry hall. Hall has been a success at the Dogs this year and the amount of goals he has scored is a testament to his hard work and accurate goal kicking.

If Hill and Hall can get assistance from bright, young prospect, Jarrad Grant the Dogs will be difficult to beat, however the MCG is not a ground they are known for dominating on.

The Pick :

Hawthorn to win

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Hawthorn +9.5 points at Centrebet.
Price is currently 1.91 (Medium-High Stakes)