Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has bucked a longstanding pattern to declare Collingwood star Nick Daicos is for certain to obtain a tough tag when the 2 sides meet on Saturday.
No senior coach has been keen to disclose their plans to fight the freewheeling Brownlow Medal favorite earlier than a recreation this season, however Mitchell confirmed Hawks stopper Finn Maginness can be despatched to Daicos from the primary bounce of the MCG conflict.
Daicos, who penned a profitable new six-year deal on Wednesday, has not been held to lower than 25 disposals all season, with Swans tagger Ryan Clarke the one direct opponent who has been in a position to considerably nullify his affect.
But Maginness clamped down efficiently on the Pies’ chief playmaker in a pre-season recreation in March, and Mitchell backed him to repeat the efficiency because the Sixteenth-placed Hawks face a frightening process.
Uncontracted past 2023, Maginness has solely began in eight video games this season however been a continuing within the aspect since he restricted in-form Giants midfielder Josh Kelly to solely six possessions in spherical 17.
“Pretty obvious (Maginness) is going to go to Daicos, isn’t it? We’ve got to try and find a way to make that work,” Mitchell mentioned.
“He’s going to go to Daicos and see if he can quell him – he’s had such a fantastic season, he’s a genuine matchwinner, and he’s involved in so much of their play.
“That means it’s going to free up something else for them … they’ve got so many talented players that it’s not to say he will go on him for the whole game.”
Key defender Sam Frost has been dominated out of the Magpies conflict with a foot damage, with final week’s sub James Blanck set to interchange him within the 22.
Mitchell mentioned the Hawks have been unlikely to regain wingman Karl Amon, who missed final week’s loss to St Kilda on account of knee soreness.
He mentioned Changkuoth Jiath, who has not been sighted at AFL stage since spherical 9 on account of repeat comfortable tissue accidents, remained hopeful of returning this season.
“We haven’t ruled (Jiath) out yet, I think it’s one of those ones where we really want him to be able to work towards the end of his injury,” Mitchell mentioned.
“He traditionally has been a bit slower to recover from these types of injuries, and that’s proving the same again.
“By next week we’ll know whether we think he can turn the corner and get back or whether it’s time to wrap him up (for the season).”
Mitchell mentioned standard clubman Max Lynch was at peace along with his retirement this week on the recommendation of an AFL impartial medical committee on account of ongoing concussion points.
“Unfortunately for Max it ends his career, but I think if anything he almost feels a sense of relief, from talking to him, because that fight to get back with a fear of potential injury has been a really difficult spot for him to be in for a long time,” he mentioned.
“By a medical team saying ‘you shouldn’t play competitive sport’, that takes it out of his hands, and he knows what’s best for his life and can make that decision with a clear conscience.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
