Where and when: Casey Demons at Box Hill City Oval, August 10th at 1:00pm.

With the exception of a practice match during pre-season, it has been a very long time since these sides last battled it out. Round two last year Hawthorn were trailing by two points at three quarter time but were able to take control of the game in the last term to defeat the Demons by seven points. 

This Saturday the stakes are a lot higher, with finals only three weeks away, both sides are fighting for a spot in the top six. Casey currently sit eighth on the ladder having defeated Darebin by just one point last week. Hawthorn are also coming off a win but are in a better position for finals, sitting fifth on the ladder.

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On Saturday the Hawks will need to be able to shut down Casey’s top players including experienced AFLW player Katherine Smith. Smith is currently averaging 14 disposals and six tackles and in the seven games she has played this season, has been named in the best on five of those occasions. The midfielder/defender will no doubt be an integral part of the side’s last run of games before the end of the season.

Casey will be keeping an eye on Hawks’ star forward Sarah Perkins, with the side being no stranger to her talent after she was named in the best in Hawks’ win over them last year. If Saturday’s game is anything like last week’s, Perkins will be a huge threat on the scoreboard coming off a three goal performance against Melbourne University. 

At the other end of the ground is physical defender Jess Sibley, who came back after a week off to produce a strong performance down back against the Mugars last weekend. Sibley, alongside the rest of the Hawks’ defence, will be looking to cut off the Demons’ forwards and stop them from hitting the scoreboard.  

With only a few points separating the top nine teams on the ladder, it comes down to the next three rounds and the Hawks will be making sure they give it their all on the weekend to secure a spot in finals.