Hawthorn’s finals temperature check: Run home, wildcard player, why they can win it and more

SEN’s The Run Home team of Andy Maher, Josh Jenkins and Julian De Stoop have undertaken a finals temperature check on the teams still in contention.

They have taken a close look at some varying categories which could decide whether they qualify for finals in some cases or even contend for the premiership.

The categories are: The Run Home, Recent Signature Win, Wildcard Player, Medical Room (key outs), Why They Can (make it/win it) and Why They Can’t (make it/win it).

The Run Home 

Round 20: v Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)            
Round 21: v GWS (Manuka Oval)                     
Round 22: v Carlton (MCG)                
Round 23: v Richmond (MCG)                  
Round 24: v North Melbourne (UTAS Stadium)                              

Recent Signature Win   

Maher: “The games against Richmond and Collingwood. They were both big games with big build-ups and big crowds.

“They’ve done it with a bit of arrogance and authority. They’ve met their big moments and it hasn’t thwarted them as well.”

Wildcard Player 

Connor MacDonald

Maher: “They’ve got better players than him, but Connor MacDonald is starting to loom. He’s starting to hit the scoreboard, he’s really clean, he’s tough and he’s a mid/forward. There’s something about this kid.

“I think he likes big moments, Connor MacDonald.”

Medical Room (key outs)

James Blanck (Knee, Season)              
Sam Butler (Leg, Season)             
Mitch Lewis (Knee, Season)                   
Chad Wingard (Calf, 1-2 weeks)                          

Maher: “They’d love Mitch Lewis in the team, James Blanck hasn’t been in all year … but they’re going okay without Lewis.

“Other than that, they’re pretty much all clear.”

Why They Can 

Maher: “Belief. Momentum. They are intangibles that Champion Data doesn’t necessarily measure.

“They don’t rely on a narrow core of players either … they find ways to hit the scoreboard and they share the load.

“If they get in, no one is going to want to play them.”

Why They Can’t

Maher: “At the moment, they’re too far back, that’s obvious. Is it too soon? Are they ready? Well, they weren’t ready in 2008 and they got the job done.”