Hawks face huge tests as Dons, Eagles battle injuries
KEY STORYLINES TO WATCH FOR IN ROUND 12 OF THE AFL SEASON
HAWTHORN FACE DEFINING PERIOD
The 'Hollywood Hawks' were premiership favourites after starting the year 4-0, but the hype has dwindled following four defeats in their past seven games. After losing to reigning premier Brisbane, Hawthorn have more tough matches to come against Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide in a stretch that will shape their season.
BOMBERS FACE TALL ORDER
Already dealing with four season-ending injuries, and important talls Jordan Ridley and Harry Jones being sidelined long-term, Essendon lost Kyle Langford and Zach Reid against Richmond. Brad Scott and his coaching team will have to make some significant shifts in their line-up ahead of a tough trip to Brisbane on Thursday night.
CAVALRY COMING FOR HIGH-FLYING MAGPIES
After showcasing their depth and ironclad system - and the talent of the Daicos brothers - with a last-quarter demolition of North Melbourne, Collingwood are set to regain players for their match against Hawthorn. Darcy Moore (shoulder), Lachie Schultz (concussion), Jordan De Goey (achilles), Scott Pendlebury (illness), Bobby Hill (personal reasons) and Steele Sidebottom (back) are all chances to be available, but Brayden Maynard (foot) is set for a stint on the sidelines.
BLUES SET FOR SOME SOUL SEARCHING
Michael Voss isn't ready to give up on Carlton's finals hopes but concedes there's plenty of work ahead for a team that takes a disappointing 4-7 record to its mid-season bye. The Blues, who had lofty ambitions of ending a 30-year premiership drought this season, face an unenviable task to turn their campaign around.
ARE WEST COAST DESTINED FOR THE SPOON?
West Coast forward Jake Waterman could miss the rest of the season after his shoulder popped out in Sunday's 66-point loss to Adelaide. And with Jeremy McGovern's future in doubt due to concussion, the last-placed Eagles are without their two All-Australians from last year and facing an almighty task against Geelong on Sunday.
HAVE FREMANTLE REGAINED THEIR MOJO?
The Dockers made it two victories in succession with a 49-point thrashing of Port Adelaide in the wet, with Luke Jackson playing a match-winning role in the ruck. Fremantle's midfield has risen to a new level on the back of Jackson's dominance, but they'll face a huge test against the Suns' star-studded on-ball division at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
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