In the previous round, Hawthorn, positioned 16th with a 2-6 record, surprised many by defeating the Western Bulldogs. Now, they fancy their chances against the 14th-ranked Saints, especially considering their impressive 74 percent win rate at the venue. Expressing his confidence, Weddle remarked that he considers the venue their fortress, citing the rarity of teams playing in Tasmania as an advantage for Hawthorn.
However, Hawthorn will face the Saints without their star defender and captain, James Sicily, who suffered a shoulder dislocation during the Bulldogs match. Coach Sam Mitchell explained that the club prioritized Sicily’s health and opted to give him time to recover and strengthen his shoulder. Weddle acknowledged the leadership vacuum left by Sicily’s absence, particularly against a St Kilda side boasting tall forwards like Max King, Tim Membrey, and Jack Hayes.
Despite this setback, Weddle expressed readiness to face any of St Kilda’s tall forwards. He highlighted Hawthorn’s success at the venue in 2023, where they secured three out of seven wins, previously known as York Park. Weddle also discussed the strategic approach he and teammate Sam Frost adopt in deciding which opponents to mark.
In terms of team changes, Hawthorn welcomes back Luke Breust, while St Kilda benefits from the return of Ben Paton and Liam Henry from injury. St Kilda, with a 3-5 record, managed to defeat winless North Melbourne in the previous round, ending a three-game losing streak. Weddle emphasized the high morale within the Hawthorn team following their unexpected victory over the Bulldogs and expressed optimism about their upcoming match against St Kilda.
