Ablett masterclass sends Gold Coast soaring over Hawthorn
TODAY’S LINE-UP from 12PM: Jimmy Bartel, Matthew Lloyd, Tim Lane, Tony Leonard, and Doc Larkins.
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THE WASH-UP
Suns recruit Pearce Hanley spoke to 3AW Football on Sunday afternoon.
He said even he has trouble deciphering what fellow Irishman Conor McKenna says.
Click play for the full interview
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The Hawks had a number of injury concerns coming from the match, most seriously Josh Gibson.
Click play for Doc Larkins’ injury wrap
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Gary Ablett spoke to 3AW in the rooms after the win.
He said the team won’t be getting ahead of itself just yet.
“We’ve won two in a row,” he said.
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Gold Coast has held firm for a 16-point win.
Gary Ablett put on a masterclass: 37 touches, ten tackles, eight clearances, and two goals.
But 3AW analyst Jimmy Bartel said the Suns will be happy with the contribution of the players around him.
“That’s what the Gold Coast has been asking for,” he said.
Matthew Lloyd said it contrasted with the Hawks, who didn’t give Tom Mitchell any support.
Click play for the full-time wrap with Jimmy and Lloydy
Click play for match highlights
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The Hawks have two major injury concerns, with senior players Isaac Smith (knee) and Josh Gibson (groin) both playing through injuries.
Click play for Doc Larkins’ interim report
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HALF TIME
Gold Coast lead by 15 points at the main break.
Gun Sun Gary Ablett (21 disposals, four tackles, one goal) has been typically influential in the engine room.
Matthew Lloyd said the Hawks need more options for winning contested ball than Tom Mitchell.
Click play for the half-time wrap with Jimmy and Lloydy
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Injured Hawk James Frawley joined the 3AW commentary box before the game.
He said Alastair Clarkson is constantly changing things up.
“If you’re a good coach, you change for different weeks and different opposition,” Frawley said.
“Clarko’s probably the best at changing game plan and game styles, even throughout a game.
“But I wouldn’t say it’s been ‘catastrophic’ change.”
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Hawthorn has been hit with a big blow ahead of the game.
Luke Hodge (groin) has been withdrawn with Billy Hartung coming in.
The Suns have also made a late change, with Jesse Lonergan replacing Touk Miller (ill).
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With these two sides languishing at the wrong end of the table, you could be forgiven for having low expectations about this clash.
But with the Hawks embarrassed by the Suns last time they met – and embarrassed by Port last week – expect them to come out breathing fire on Saturday afternoon.
Gold Coast has come under their fair share of criticism this year as well. They won’t be lying down today, that’s for sure.
Who will keep the critics at bay for another week?
Find out with the No. 1 commentary team in the game on 3AW Football.
BELOW: Follow live commentary highlights throughout the weekend.