Gold Coast Suns vs Hawthorn Hawks Verdict
Gold Coast have dropped their past three matches but can get back on track at home. The Suns have won their past five home matches against Hawthorn and can make that six straight.
- Gold Coast have won their past five home matches against Hawthorn
- Nick Watson has kicked 2+ goals in each of his past eight matches
- Ben King has kicked 12 goals in his past four home matches against Hawthorn
- Noah Anderson has recorded 30-plus disposals in each of his past three matches against the Hawks.
Head to Head Stats
Hawthorn took out the Round 7 encounter this season by 49 points, but Gold Coast had won three in a row prior to that and have won their past five in Queensland and the Northern Territory against the Hawks.
Gold Coast Suns Form - Three-Game Losing Run
Gold Coast come in with a 7-6 record and have dropped their past three, losing to Geelong by 45 points last weekend, following losses to Brisbane by 31 and North Melbourne by six.
The Suns have a poor record against sides above them on the ladder with one win from five, but are unbeaten against interstate opposition in home games this season.
They were beaten at clearance and contested possession by Geelong, leading to a 47-62 inside 50 count in the 60-105 scoreline. Despite that, they generated enough transition opportunities to remain competitive but were unable to connect effectively inside 50 and convert their chances.
Ben King kicked three goals from limited opportunities and has seven from his past two matches for a total of 41 from 12 this season.
John Noble had 30 disposals against the Cats and has hit 30+ in five of his past six. Noah Anderson has had 30+ in four of his past seven, while recording 29, 27 and 25 in the other three matches during that period.
Hawthorn Hawks Form - Hawks Slipping
Hawthorn won six of their first seven matches of the season but have lost three of their past five and sit with a win-loss record of 8-4-1 after 13 matches.
They come off the bye after going down to the Western Bulldogs by six points. That loss came despite dominating a number of key measures, including inside 50s and contested possessions, but poor conversion proved costly in the 9.17 (71) to 12.5 (77) defeat.
The Hawks won the first nine clearances of that match and controlled long periods of play, but were unable to turn their dominance into scoreboard separation. Their inability to capitalise on opportunities allowed the Bulldogs to stay in touch before taking control in the second half.
Nick Watson starred with three goals and has kicked 2+ in each of his past eight matches, while Mabior Chol also booted three.
Will Day collected 25 disposals in his second game back from injury, Jai Newcombe had 36, while Massimo D'Ambrosio gathered 29. D'Ambrosio has now recorded 25+ disposals in his past two matches.
Gold Coast Suns Team News
There were no injuries for the Suns to come out of the loss to Geelong.
Will Powell and Ethan Read are among those on the injury list that are close to returning and could provide a timely boost.
Hawthorn Hawks Team News
Hawthorn should be close to full strength coming out of the bye, with Tom Barrass and Jack Gunston both listed as tests ahead of the clash with Gold Coast.
James Blanck is also a chance to return, while Conor Nash and Jack Scrimshaw remain without firm timelines as they continue their recoveries.