The temperature has cooled on the Hawthorn-Geelong rivalry because it was at its most intense, when each golf equipment have been counted among the many main AFL premiership contenders.
However the flame nonetheless glints and the Hawks’ new breed – who pushed the Cats to inside a kick within the corresponding fixture final yr – are decided to re-stoke the hearth of their Easter Monday showdown on the MCG.
“It is nonetheless a recreation that everybody needs to play as a result of it is a landmark recreation and it is our model of Anzac Day, actually,” Hawthorn ruckman Ned Reeves informed AAP.
“It is a huge recreation for us as a membership.
“We’re striving to climb the ladder, get higher and push to be the very best we are able to.
“The group that is enjoying in the intervening time is rather a lot youthful than it has been previously and we’re all eager.”
First-year coach Sam Mitchell, a four-time premiership Hawk, performed a central on-field function when the battle with Geelong was at its hottest.
Mitchell’s aggressive nature got here to the fore in current days at Hawthorn coaching, the place his gamers have been put by way of additional physique work within the hope it would spark them into motion after a belting from St Kilda in spherical 4.
“It was bodily nevertheless it’s not that unusual, particularly with Sam, he loves the true powerful kind of footy,” Reeves stated.
“We have been due for a session like that anyway however the timing was in all probability good.”
Hawthorn sprung a range shock for the Cats conflict after they dropped midfielder James Worpel, with Daniel Howe and Finn Maginness additionally axed after the defeat to St Kilda.
Liam Shiels, Jacob Koschitzke and Tom Phillips all return.
Geelong have regained star duo Joel Selwood and Tom Stewart after the pair missed the round-four win over Brisbane.