Chad Wingard
He headlined the Hawks three-pronged recruiting coup in last year’s trade period and this weekend Chad Wingard will make his debut in the brown and gold. Missing the opening two games of the year due to a calf strain, Wingard will likely be thrown straight into the Hawks forward line alongside Jack Gunston, Luke Breust and Jarryd Roughead to form a potentially lethal potency around goals. Hawks fans, be excited.
James Sicily
Having endured a week where his name was firmly in the headlines due to a controversial free kick paid against him in the clash with the Dogs, the quality of James Sicily’s start to the season has gone somewhat under the radar. The 24-year-old is leading the league in rebound 50s after he followed up a career-best 15 exits in Round 1 with 11 against the Dogs. Sicily is an essential element to the Hawks moving the ball from their defensive half and one that the Kangaroos will no doubt put some work into.
James Cousins
The challenge placed on James Cousins continues to grow with the injuries to midfielders Shaun Burgoyne and Liam Shiels. Cousins has ably supported teammates Jaeger O’Meara and James Worpel in the opening fortnight, averaging 20.5 disposals and 4.5 tackles. But the 21-year-old, just nine games into his AFL career, will look to go to another level again in the absence of the premiership pair.
Jared Polec
Fresh and revitalised after his off-season move to the Roos, Jared Polec has begun his campaign at Arden St in characteristically impressive fashion. Averaging 25 possessions and a goal in the opening two rounds, Polec has been a rare shining light in the Kangaroos’ bleak opening fortnight. The 26-year-old’s run off the wing will be something the Hawks will look to restrict on Sunday.
Ben Cunnington
Put simply, Ben Cunnington is one of the game’s best contested ball winners. Only three players recorded more contested touches than Cunnington in 2018 with the North Melbourne hard nut recording double-digit contested numbers in each of his 22 outings. The 27-year-old so often wins his ball at the coalface, making him a hard man to curb his influence. But nevertheless the Hawks will be hoping to look after Cunnington around the contest.
