Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says he won’t change his coaching style after last week’s spray as his side aims to claim a second win when it takes on the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
The Hawks (1-6, 69.9%) are sitting second last on the ladder while they commit to a lengthy rebuild.
And they’ll take on a Western Bulldogs outfit (3-4, 114.7%) determined to turn their own form around with just one win in their past four matches.
THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Set a deposit limit.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Both sides will unveil debutants with Charlie Clarke (Bulldogs) and Calsher Dear (Hawks) both named for their first matches.
The Dogs will also be boosted by the return of dynamic duo Tom Liberatore and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan who missed last week’s loss to Fremantle.
The game gets underway at 4pm AEST from Marvel Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504), streaming on Kayo and via Hubbl from 4pm AEST.
MATCH UPDATES
Oskar Baker (WB) and Nick Watson (HAW) are today’s starting substitutes. There were no late changes.
The Bulldogs were barking early, kicking the first two goals within the game’s first minute of play.
“They’ve got stars in their eyes, the Hawks,” exclaimed Fox Footy commentator Matt Hill after Tim English booted the Bulldogs’ second.
“You have to show him more respect,” four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis said after Marcus Bontempelli dobbed a long-range major — the Dogs’ third on the trot.
“I mean, Will Day, you’ve got to understand who you’re playing on and what he can do. As soon as you take a step in, he’s going to take a step out and he’s so dangerous.
“You’ve got to be more accountable around the midfield, especially when you’re getting smacked like they are.”
The Hawks settled, however, through goals to Jack Gunston and Lloyd Meek. They trailed by five points halfway through the first term.
“Sicily’s shoulder has popped out,” Lewis noted. “That was a huge contest … he is in a bad, bad way.”
Fox Footy’s Sarah Jones reported from the Marvel Stadium boundary: “He’s going straight down into the rooms. Nick Watson, the sub, is warming up and preparing to be activated into the game.”
However, in a surprising twist, Hawthorn’s medical staff was able to rectify the issue.
“Big news from the boundary line, James Sicily’s shoulder has gone back in, and the Hawks are trying to warm him back up with a view to getting him back out there,” Jones later said.
Calsher Dear, the son of late Hawks champion Paul Dear, kicked his first AFL goal and the celebrations were worth waiting for.
The Dogs took a five-point lead into the quarter-time break.
“Some big news for Hawthorn, with skipper James Sicily back out in the middle – he has his right shoulder heavily strapped after landing awkwardly,” Jones told Fox Footy at the first change.
“He was taken from the ground in a great deal of pain, went directly down into the rooms, where he was assessed by doctors – they were able to get that shoulder back into position (and) taped up.
“He is going to resume his position in the Hawks back line – important news for Hawthorn.”
Jai Newcombe kicked the first goal of the second term to bring the Hawks back ahead by a point.
Follow Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn in our live blog below!
