SUMMARY
The Hawks will be happy to have this game on their 'other' home deck after visits to Spotless Stadium in both 2015 and 2016 resulted in heavy defeats.
And their confidence is up after a couple of wins that suggest the nightmare start to the season is now a distant memory. Their kids are demonstrating they can play a bit, but the loss of Grant Birchall to injury is a blow, because Hawthorn's best footy for the season has been with him in the side.
The GIANTS will again be without Toby Greene and will miss Steve Johnson and Zac Williams as well, but overall, they still appear to have the edge in talent and they will surely be stung into action after leaving their run against Geelong too late last week and just managing to scramble a draw.
WHERE AND WHEN: University of Tasmania Stadium, Saturday, July 8, 1.45pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R6, 2016, GIANTS 24.14 (158) d Hawthorn 12.11 (83) at Spotless Stadium
R6, 2015, GIANTS 16.12 (108) d Hawthorn 14.14 (98) at Spotless Stadium
R11, 2014, Hawthorn 14.10 (94) d GIANTS 13.9 (87) at the MCG
R8, 2013, Hawthorn 21.14 (140) d GIANTS 9.3 (57) at University of Tasmania Stadium
R12, 2012, Hawthorn 28.25 (193) d GIANTS 4.7 (31) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. The GIANTS are one of the highest scoring teams in 2017, ranked third with an average of 101 points per game compared to the Hawks, who are ranked 15th with an average of 82 points.
2. The GIANTS have now won the past two clashes between the sides, ending the Hawks' run of three consecutive wins, which included two wins by more than 80 points.
3. The GIANTS' advantage could be in the clearances, where they are ranked first in the AFL, averaging 41.9 compared to the Hawks who have struggled, ranked equal 13th with an average of 35.3.
4. Hawthorn has won one of two games at University of Tasmania Stadium this season; since 2012 they've won 20 of 22 games at the venue. The GIANTS have played once previously in Launceston – in round eight, 2013, losing by 83 points.
5. The Hawks have struggled to mark the ball inside 50 this season. They're ranked 16th, averaging 9.7 per game, but the GIANTS have been only marginally better, ranked 10th with an average of 12.1.
6. Saturday's game features the two best small defenders in the AFL according to the Schick AFL Player Ratings: GIANT Zac Williams followed by Hawk veteran Shaun Burgoyne.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Kaiden Brand
The emerging Hawthorn full-back played arguably his best game for the club in the win over Collingwood last week but faces a huge test here, most likely against Jonathon Patton, who this time, dare we suggest, won't be sitting on the bench if things are tight late in the last quarter.
The GIANTS take on the Hawks in Launceston on Saturday at 1.45pm with live coverage on 7mate into NSW and the ACT and Fox Footy all around Australia.
