AFL 2019 Round 5: Hawthorn v Geelong, 3:20pm AEST MCG

[Gralin]

​

Where and when: MCG, Monday April 22, 3.20pm AEST

Melbourne Forecast

Cloudy. Medium (40%) chance of showers in the morning. Light southerly winds.

Last time they met: MCG, round 21, 2018: Hawthorn 10.11 (71) d. Geelong 8.12 (60)
After leading by 26 points at three-quarter time, Hawthorn was forced to withstand a late Geelong comeback at the MCG. The Cats got within six points with seconds remaining, before Jaeger O'Meara sealed victory with a goal in the 30th minute.

What it means for Hawthorn: It's been an indifferent start to the year. Victory – and a big scalp – on Easter Monday will make the Hawks a genuine finals contender.

What it means for Geelong: After a flying start to the year, last week's defeat to the Giants was a setback. Winning here will get the Cats back on track.

How Hawthorn wins: With O'Meara. Its midfield is simply too light on talent to cope without him, Tom Mitchell, Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne.

How Geelong wins: By dominating out of the middle. Patrick Dangerfield, Tim Kelly and Joel Selwood have the chance to completely overwhelm a depleted Hawks onball group.

The stat: Four of the last five games between these two sides have been decided by fewer than 11 points.

The match-up: Tom Stewart v Luke Breust
One of the game's most in-form defenders against one of the League's best small forwards. Stewart has started the season brilliantly, while Breust will act as Hawthorn's biggest threat having kicked eight goals to open the year.

It's a big week for: Jaeger O'Meara (Hawthorn)
All eyes will be on one man at Hawthorn ahead of this Easter Monday clash. O'Meara missed the Hawks' last game with St Kilda due to a hip complaint. Without him, Hawthorn's midfield looks mightily lean. All of the attention this week will be on whether he gets up for the Cats.

Big call: Danger puts a dirty week to bed, stars in Cats canter

Prediction: Geelong by 28 points

Source: AFL Website

 

[Americanpies]

Geelong have a surprisingly low number of inside 50's in many of their games. Well under 50. Hawthorn have a chance here if they can beat them on inside 50's as The Hawks still have a good forward line that can convert.

 

[Xtreme]

Geelong by 172

Gutherie best on ground (for the HAWKS)

 

[catscratchfever]

Rarely anything other than a close one between these two arch-rivals. Geelong by 15+ points

 

[juss]

Cats by 23.

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

With clear air today I find the 3:20 timeslot odd.

As for the game you'd have to think the Cats midfield will have the Hawks on the back foot.

In recent times this matchup doesn't follow expectations on form though and anything can happen.

 

[StevenwellerHFC]

Geelong by 12 goals.

 

[JohnZ]

With clear air today I find the 3:20 timeslot odd.

As for the game you'd have to think the Cats midfield will have the Hawks on the back foot.

In recent times this matchup doesn't follow expectations on form though and anything can happen.

Finish at 6 in time for 7News tm

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

Finish at 6 in time for 7News tm

Makes sense. Sad though.

 

[MowShow]

Unfortunately this one wont be close.

Tipping Cats by 56.

 

[catpremier 07]

Geelong by 172

Gutherie best on ground (for the HAWKS)

Bloody Guthrie costing us a 200 point win

 

[welshm69]

Looks like Hawthorn fans are still jumping off the bandwagon...

 

[Blackhawk42]

Looks like Hawthorn fans are still jumping off the bandwagon...

It's more about being realistic.

No Mitchell, Burgoyne, Shiels, Frawley. All of whom are super important against a team with a great midfield and monster forward.
Geelong have been playing excellent footy seemingly spurred on by some exciting youngsters.
If this ends up being another classic Hawks/Cats game i'll be surprised. Obviously hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Can only ask for 4 quarters of effort and some fair umpiring for a change.

 

[Gralin]

Looks like Hawthorn fans are still jumping off the bandwagon...

It was too crowded anyway, better seats for those of us left

 

[Thornton Melon]

Expecting a percentage-booster today. Poor old hawks.

 

[Vindicater]

Is Stratton really playing?

His concussion last week looked nasty. He would 100% still be feeling it this week in some manner

 

[Nugett]

Hawks by 10 points. Breust, Nash and Worpel gets us across the line.

 

[god_of_the_universe]

These games have all been so close I'm going for a draw this time.

 

[PhatBoy]

I never take a result against these blokes for granted. Expecting a close game.

 

[Brutalitops]

It'd be nice if Hawks win so theyre nice and complacent next week down in Tassie. Sadly though, i think Cats are gonna dismantle them today which means theyll be looking at our game with an axe to grind.

#thanksGeelong

 

[Cleavy]

Finish at 6 in time for 7News tm

Also the Stawell Gift is on this afternoon, not that it mattered when Ch7 didn’t have the rights to it.

 

[Brutalitops]

Also the Stawell Gift is on this afternoon, not that it mattered when Ch7 didn’t have the rights to it.

Whats the point of a race if nobody starts at the same length?

 

[Gralin]

Is Stratton really playing?

His concussion last week looked nasty. He would 100% still be feeling it this week in some manner

Just as likely to be a late out as play you'd think

 

[Scotland]

What are the latest odds?

 

[Vindicater]

Whats the point of a race if nobody starts at the same length?

Betting.

Why do Horses have weights.