Hawks flying in late-season betting
The Hawks celebrate during their round 17 AFL match with the Magpies at the MCG on 21 July 2012.
They were anything but convincing in the early season but the signs are starting to look ominous for Hawthorn to capture the flag in 2012. Look no further than their 47-point drubbing of Collingwood on Saturday to see why Sportingbet has the Hawks at $2.75 premiership favourites.
They were simply outstanding against the ’Pies and this in a side playing without two-time Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin and captain Luke Hodge. God help the opposition when the pair comes back—something that is expected within the next fortnight.
Against the Pies Jordan Lewis and Luke Breust proved once and for all that the Hawks have multiple routes to goal and there’s plenty of quality in Cyril Rioli and Jarryd Roughead. But in a group once known more for its star quality the teamwork really is beginning to shine. Their ability to step on the gas in the third quarter is certainly proving to be their calling card.
Could their run of seven wins in a row extend to 13 by the regular season’s end? Don’t rule it out. It’s no walk in the park with Essendon and Geelong in consecutive weeks and Sydney and West Coast to round out fixtures before the post season. But Sydney aside, the others are supposedly only pale imitations of Collingwood. The Swans match in round 22 could determine the minor premiership, Hawthorn’s superb percentage meaning a share of first place to get them over the line.
With big movers it corresponds that other teams will blow out and the ’Pies ($5) are certainly softening for the flag but not nearly as much as West Coast ($11) who’ve been given touch-ups in consecutive weeks by Sydney ($4.75) and Adelaide ($6).
Six weeks ago there was a sense that perhaps a team could come from the back end of the finals ladder to pinch the premiership. But the mood is starting to alter. It would be a brave punter who’d now put a stake on the 2012 flag going to any team currently sitting outside the top four.
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As you said, 6 weeks ago there was a completely different picture. To early to discard the back end of the top 8.
St. Kilda (admittedly I’m a backing my own team) dominated the inside 50′s against Sydney on the weekend and opened the final term with 5 behinds in the first couple of minutes. A bit more accuracy and they will be dangerous if they get in the 8.
Swans ARE good, and will be there at the end. The Crows and, yes, Hawks are on absolute top form, but so was West Coast until a couple of weeks ago. Essendon won their first many games and could get back to form. Despite the drubbing by the Hawks I am not ready to look past a champion Collingwood side.
My favourites: Swans, Collingwood and Hawks, but i’ll back the Saints with a 10′er for now!