AFL: Hawks face tall forward dilemma as Chol returns from injury
The Hawks have in recent weeks propelled Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear into the senior side during Chol's brief absence with a minor groin issue.
Now, with veteran Jack Gunston nudging career-best form, coach Sam Mitchell is tossing up the prospect of playing four key tall forwards against Adelaide on Friday night.
Mitchell said the Hawks had leaned on 'a lot of data' to assist in the important decision.
'We've got some decisions to make about how we pick the team, we have had a look at a lot of data,' he said,
'We play the three talls probably two-thirds of the time and it would mean two-thirds would be all the time having the three talls on the ground.
'We need to make an assessment as to whether that's the way we'll kick the biggest score and stop the biggest score.'
Mabior Chol is fit and causing selection headaches. Picture: Mark Stewart
The decision holds heavy weight, as Hawthorn is only percentage outside of the top four.
Adelaide, meanwhile, is two points clear of Brisbane in third and only four points behind ladder leader Collingwood.
Mitchell said the narrowness of Adelaide Oval and the possibility of Chol playing second ruck would be considered in selection.
'We have discussed that, it's been a bit of a debate over the last few days about how we do the side and a fair bit of research has gone into it,' he said.
'We've got a couple of things. If we do play them all, they wouldn't all be on the ground at the same time unless there was a blood rule or something.
'And making sure we need a bit of a solution around the ruck because we've used 'Wedds' a bit in the ruck then with 'Marbs' as well.
'We've got a bit of a conundrum with the second ruck situation, so we've got to pick the team in the next 24 hours.'
Tyler Lewis
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Tyler Lewis is a sports reporter based in Melbourne's south east.
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