The Hawks are back in Melbourne for the first time in four weeks and should get the points against the hapless GIANTS.
It has been a tough period for the Hawks, with injury to players, illness to Alastair Clarkson, and dropping close games to the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide on the road, but the friendly MCG confines beckon and not before time.
Key forward Jarryd Roughead returns from suspension and, with Luke Breust and Jack Gunston, should feast on the battling GIANTS backline.
The GIANTS will be stung into action but the Hawks can garner important percentage in this one.
WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Sunday June 1, 4.40pm
TV AND RADIO: Click here for the broadcast guide
LAST TWO TIMES
R8, 2013, Hawthorn 21.14 (140) d GWS GIANTS 9.3 (57) at Aurora Stadium
R15, 2012, Hawthorn 28.25 (193) d GWS GIANTS 4.7 (31) at the MCG
THE SIX POINTS
1. In the two clashes between the sides Hawthorn has scored and scored heavily, kicking a combined 49 goals to the GIANTS' 13 and winning by a combined margin of 245 points. Jarryd Roughead has kicked 11 goals on his own.
2. In their past two matches the GIANTS have kicked 17 goals to their opponents' 54 and lost by a combined total of 224 points.
3. The GIANTS have lost their four previous games at the MCG by an average losing margin of 80 points.
4. Hawthorn is the No.1 clearance team in the competition, averaging 42.4 per game, while the GIANTS aren't far behind, ranked third at 41.1 per game.
5. Hawthorn has lost its past two games. Not since the 2012 Grand Final and the opening game of last season has that happened.
6. No Sam Mitchell or Cyril Rioli for the Hawks means Jarryd Roughead at No.15 will be the leading player on the ground, according to the Official AFL Player Ratings brought to you by Gatorade.
