The changes

B: Harbrow, Day, Joyce
HB: Ballard, Leslie, Weller
C: Schoenfeld, Miller, Young
HF: Holman, Lynch, Sexton
F: Ah Chee, Wright, Martin
FOLL: Witts, Ainsworth, Swallow
I/C: Lyons, Dawson, Rischitelli, Lemmens
EMG: Brodie, Crossley, Heron, Spencer

IN: Wright, Dawson
OUT: Bowes, Thompson

What to expect

After opening the first five games of the seasons with three wins, the Suns have since lost their last seven games by an average of 51.5 points. 

The statistics paint a picture of a Suns season that has been ruined by a mixture of injury, poor form and plain rotten luck.

They rank 18th in the competition in such key areas as disposals, disposal efficiency, scores for, clangers and marks inside 50, while they also sit second-last for marks and inside 50s.

After their fourth quarter collapse against St Kilda last week, the Suns’ efforts have come into question as they have failed to kick a goal in the final term of their past four games. 

The Suns have no choice but to come out this week against Hawthorn fired up and eager to make amends on the back of the embarrassment of their loss to the Saints.

From the Hawks’ end, Alastair Clarkson’s side should be wary of not underrating the Suns, given they upset the Hawks twice in 2017, winning their meetings in Round 3 and 12.

Read: The waiting game for baby Hawks 

Players to watch 

David Swallow is among just nine Suns to have played all 12 games in 2018.

Swallow has been a rare shining light for his side this year, averaging 23.2 disposals, four marks, 4.4 tackles and 11.5 contested possessions.

The 25-year old is the Suns’ prime mover and certainly the one to watch inside their on-ball brigade.

Swallow’s right-hand man this year has been Jarryd Lyons.

The former Crow is averaging a career-high 12.7 contested possessions to rank inside the top 13 league-wide in the statistic.