Hawthorn’s win over Sydney didn’t come without cost, Sam Mitchell says, with the Swans defensive pressure ensuring a bruising encounter.
Stymying the reigning premiers’ outside game, Sydney’s effort in the top of the table battle will provide a strong blueprint for the Bulldogs as they prepare to face the Hawks this weekend at Aurora Stadium.
Hawthorn may have prevailed around the stoppages - leading the hitouts (46-32) and clearances (35-33) - but it was Sydney’s work in close and immense tackle pressure that made it hard work for the Hawks to get comfortable in the contest.
“We came out of the game as Hawthorn people saying ‘gee we didn’t play as well as we’d like’ and it was probably due to their pressure,” Mitchell said.
The Swans lead the contested ball and tackle count 143-138 and 65-47 respectively.
“We need to play better and if we continue to play some really strong footy then we will finish in the position we are in now or thereabouts,” Mitchell added.
“The midfield battle was really tight throughout the game… whoever was on top in the middle of the ground ended up putting some scoreboard pressure on.”
Mitchell also highlighted the influence Luke Hodge exerted across the four quarters in a classy 28 disposal, one goal performance.
When the game was in the balance, it was Hodge that came to the fore.
“Hodge has been really good, when you look at the statistics of the game you probably don’t understand the influence that he has,” Mitchell said.
“In the third quarter we were in a lot of trouble in the first half of the quarter and he went down into the backline for a while.
“It’s not that he gets his hands on the footy or does anything too special himself, but he just gives everyone around him confidence and he sets everyone up and makes sure our structures are very sound.”
Dogs midfielder Mitch Wallis curtailed Hodge’s influence last year the Bulldogs and Hawks met at Aurora Stadium, however the young Bulldog's absence through injury will mean Brendan McCartney and his coaching staff will need to look for another match-up for the Hawks playmaker.
While Hawks skipper is damaging with ball in hand, it’s what he does when he’s not in possession that is prized equally by Mitchell and his teammates.
“It’s also when the ball is not in his area - if there’s a stoppage on the wing and Hodgey is playing at half back you know that everyone is going to be set up where they need to be because he’s not just worried about himself,” he said.
“I’ve said on the record plenty of his times he is best player I’ve seen when the ball is not in his hands… and we value that highly.”
