THIS shapes as an exciting contest, with last year's premier in red-hot form, matched against the upstart Suns who have won two from three and dreaming of a maiden finals berth. The Hawks have been irresistible in the opening three weeks, and again stamped themselves as the competition favourites with a thumping win over Fremantle last week, while the Suns made it seven wins from their past nine at Metricon with a 53-point hammering of the Brisbane Lions. Both teams have midfield grunt and genuine outside pace but the Hawks might just have the edge with their tall and versatile forward line. This will be a great test of Gold Coast's development but it's hard to see Hawthorn slipping up.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday April 12, 7.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
LAST FOUR TIMES
R9, 2013, Hawthorn 18.10 (118) d Gold Coast 14.8 (92) at the MCG
R21, 2012, Hawthorn 19.15 (129) d Gold Coast 10.5 (65) at the MCG
R24, 2011, Hawthorn 16.10 (106) d Gold Coast 14.13 (97) at Metricon Stadium
R13, 2011, Hawthorn 19.15 (129) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58) at Aurora Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Hawthorn won last season's only clash by 26 points, but not before overturning an 11-point half-time lead to the Suns. Lance Franklin kicked five goals for the Hawks.
2. No team has been more accurate in front of goal so far this season than Hawthorn, kicking at 61 per cent, well ahead of Essendon in second at 55 per cent. The Suns are 13th at 44 per cent.
3. Gold Coast (497) is the No.1 contested possession team in 2014, well clear of 11th-placed Hawthorn (416). Gary Ablett is ranked second (52), including 19 last week against the Lions.
4. The clubs have played just once previously at Metricon Stadium, with Hawthorn edging the Suns by nine points in the final round of 2011.
5. The Hawks have taken the most marks inside 50 so far in 2014 with 14.3 per game while the Suns have struggled, ranked last with 7.3 per game.
6. Two of the top-10 players in the League according to the AFL Official Player Ratings will take the field, with Ablett stable at No.1, and Hawthorn livewire Cyril Rioli rising to No.8.
Prediction: Hawthorn by 26 points
