Hawks vs Saints - Second Preliminary Final

Written by Andrew

Friday, 19 September 2008 08:07

Hawks vs Saints Saturday night sees the Hawks take on the Saints in the second preliminary final of the 2008 AFL season. The winner of this match will face either Geelong or the Western Bulldogs in the Grand Final next weekend.

In recent times the Saints have had the wood over the Hawks, with Hawthorn only winning one of their last seven games against the club. Most recently the Hawks lost from a commanding half time position earlier this year to eventually lose by 5 goals.

Historically, the Hawks have seemed to struggle against the St Kilda tall forwards, but this time, rather than focusing on shutting down the tall men in defence, the hawks will focus on preventing delivery. Size doesn't help when the ball doesn't make it inside 50.

Expect Hodge to play a sweeping defensve role early in the match as well as some fierce body contact in the middle of the ground. Guerra was brutal in the match against the Bulldogs and should continue to put physical pressure on his opponents this weekend.

The Hawks certainly have the firepower to shut down the Saints, but will need to be accurate to guarantee a win this weekend. Of course I'm tipping the Hawks to win this one; the Hawks by 20.

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