The Hawks couldn’t match it with Coolaroo over 4 quarters in last weekend’s qualifying semi-final with the Roos running out comfortable 47 point victors in a fiery encounter at Rockville Park.
Miraculously, Scoble and Pitt have both dodged bullets after being red carded in last week’s game and will be free to line up for the Hawks tomorrow. Key position player Scoble has played a significant role in his team’s success this year being used as a swingman forward and in defence across the season. David O’Toole has arguable had his most consistent season on the Downs finishing second in the league’s goal kicking behind Souths key forward Dan McPhee. O’Toole also has the versatility of playing numerous roles and may be used in bursts through the midfield or even against McPhee in defence.
In the engine room the Hawks will be well served by 2014 Holman medallist Jeremy Leahy. Leahy has had another exceptional year for the Hawks and adds class and polish when drifting forward. For the Bombers new recruit Jacob Rose has been a revelation in 2015. Rose a former U18 Crows premiership player was by large an unknown quantity coming into this year but teams soon found out that he was going to be a handful with his raw aggression and agility making him one of the best contested ball winners in the competition this season.
While the Bombers started the season slowly they have turned the corner at the pointy end of the year and while they didn’t blow University off the paddock in their last encounter it was once again their backline that stood up when it mattered. The combination of Prenergast, Lyon and Leidig across the half back line has been the catalyst for the Bombers form reversal in the second half of the season.
For the Hawks Dave O’Toole looms as the key with Souths failing to find a matchup for the versatile playmaker in their round 2 encounter where O’Toole was the difference booting 10 goals in what was a 7 point victory for his team. This win may seem like a lifetime ago for the Hawks who then went on to lose the next 2 encounters to the Bombers 81-69 and 75-74 in games where discipline cost them dearly. Notably both these games where at Heritage Oval, the venue for tomorrows clash.
With 6 send offs in last week’s qualifying final, discipline with be a key factor that both coaches will need to address. Flip a coin on this one.
Last Modified on 28/06/2016 14:42