The first game on Saturday for AFL Round 15 is between Hawthorn Hawks and Gold Coast Suns. The opening bounce is set to commence at 1:45 PM with the game to be played at Aurora Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Hawthorn Hawks. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Gold Coast Suns.

Round: Round 15 , June 28, 2014 , 1:45 PM
Stadium: Aurora Stadium
Weather: 12° A few showers.

Featured Bookmakers:

Tips: Gold Coast +34.5 at $1,92 with Sportsbet.com.au + get a $250 FREE BET

Preview: GOLD Coast registered its maiden win over Geelong last round and will be eyeing another first against the reigning premiers in Launceston. The rising Suns have never beaten the Hawks in five attempts and were stung by a 99-point loss at home in round four. Harley Bennell’s brilliant six-goal performance lifted Gold Coast to victory against the Cats and week by week the reliance on Gary Ablett decreases. It will take a team effort to upset the Hawks who, despite playing below their best, have been getting the job done with four wins in a row. Hawthorn is building towards its best 22 and with a top-four spot still far from sewn up it is hard to see the Hawks letting this one slip at a ground where they have won nine on the trot.

PAST FIVE TIMES

R4, 2014, Hawthorn 23.10 (148) d Gold Coast 7.7 (49) at Metricon Stadium
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 smashed Gold Coast by 99 points in round four after kicking 12 goals to one in the second half. Jack Gunston booted five goals and Jarryd Roughead four. Gary Ablett still had 35 possessions for the Suns.

2. The Hawks are the number one scoring side in the competition and average 116 points a game. The Suns aren’t far behind, ranked 3rd at 95 per game.

3. Hawthorn has dominated Gold Coast since the Suns entered the competition winning all five games by an average of 54 points.

4. Gary Ablett is the number one player for disposals with 32.1 per game and he’s also the number one contested possession player with 17.9 per game.

5. Aurora Stadium has become a fortress for Hawthorn winning their past nine games and 16 of their past 17. They haven’t been defeated in Launceston since round 5, 2012.

6. Hawthorn veteran Brad Sewell was challenged to lift his output two weeks ago and the midfielder produced a career-high 20.5 Official AFL Player Ratings points (in 91 recorded matches) after 26 disposals and a goal against Collingwood.

Teams:

HAWTHORN

B Ryan Schoenmakers, Brian Lake, Luke Hodge
HB Matthew Suckling, Matt Spangher, Grant Birchall
C Isaac Smith, Jordan Lewis, Bradley Hill
HF Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli
F Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale
FOLL Jonathon Ceglar, Shaun Burgoyne, Liam Shiels
I/C Angus Litherland, Taylor Duryea, Ben Stratton,Brad Sewell
EMG Ben Ross, Ben McEvoy, Jonathan Simpkin
IN Ben Stratton
OUT Ben Ross (Omitted)

GOLD COAST

B Kade Kolodjashnij, Steven May, Greg Broughton
HB Matt Shaw, Rory Thompson, Trent McKenzie
C Jarrod Harbrow, Gary Ablett, Michael Rischitelli
HF Jack Martin, Tom Lynch, Harley Bennell
F Charlie Dixon, Sam Day, Luke Russell
FOLL Zac Smith, Jaeger O’Meara, Dion Prestia
I/C Alex Sexton, David Swallow, Danny Stanley,Jesse Lonergan
EMG Matthew Warnock, Clay Cameron, Sean Lemmens
IN Jesse Lonergan
OUT Brandon Matera (Groin)