STARTING as the substitute in back-to-back matches against Essendon and Collingwood has sparked some of Matt Suckling’s strongest performances this season.
The long-kicking left-footer has found his range in big wins against fellow top-four sides Fremantle and Sydney Swans over the past fortnight, playing important roles in both results.
Suckling, who kicked a crucial late goal from long-range against the Magpies a fortnight ago and went one-better with a mammoth 65-metre goal against the Swans on Saturday night, believes he is building nicely heading towards leading into the business end of the season.
“I was the sub for two weeks in a row and probably got some confidence back in the Collingwood game,” he said.
“Last week was a solid performance and tonight wasn’t too bad, so hopefully moving forward that can continue.”
The 26-year-old collected 24 disposals against the Dockers last week, and backed up that performance with 21 disposals in the Hawks’ 89-point win against the Swans on Saturday night.
Suckling’s ability to impact the contest by driving the Hawks into attack was more than evident at ANZ Stadium.
He had six inside-50s – more than any other Hawk – and launched an incredible drop punt from inside the centre square early in the final term, which just cleared two Swans on the goal-line.
“(Kicking those goals) obviously makes you feel pretty good,” Suckling said.
“All the boys get around you when you’re kicking goals, so it’s nice to be kicking them.”
The 2014 premiership player said Saturday night’s win against a quality opponent was another step in the right direction, but knows the club needs to keep winning – starting with this Friday night’s game against Carlton at Etihad Stadium – to attain a top-two finish.
“It was obviously good to consolidate after last week against Fremantle, which I think was our first four-quarter performance this year,” Suckling said.
“We knew we needed to be on our game, we started well and it flowed on from there.
“It’s always hard coming up to Sydney and they’re a formidable opponent – they got us last time so it was nice to get one back.”
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