Hawthorn v Greater Western Sydney, UTAS Stadium Saturday, March 29, 7.35pm AEDT

Last time: Greater Western Sydney 12.12 (84) d Hawthorn 12.10 (82), R21 2024

What it means

Hawthorn has opened up a handy lead as it has won all three of its matches while most sides in the chasing pack have only played twice or as few as one game. The Hawks can entrench their position at the top of the ladder heading into their first bye with a victory over a side that is just as likely to be among the challengers for the top four places.

Greater Western Sydney is happy to talk up its ability to win anytime, anywhere and after snatching a victory from Melbourne in its only visit to the MCG in this home and away season will again be on the road for this high-stakes clash. The Giants have the list and early form to be firmly among the top-four hopefuls and can make a strong statement with another win over the high-flying Hawks.

Game shapers

Jai Newcombe has hardly skipped a beat as he leads a Hawthorn midfield currently missing James Worpel due to injury but still getting the job done against some of the top onball brigades in the competition. The reigning club champion is even taking his game to a new level with career-highs for an average 25.3 disposals, 8.3 clearances and 4.7 inside 50s as a key to the Hawks' flying start.

Tom Green showed no signs of the calf injury that delayed his start to the season as he gathered 35 disposals with nine clearances in the Giants' thrilling win over the Demons before their bye. The onball bull stands out in the Giants' midfield for his ball-winning ability at the coalface and will relish the challenge of getting first use releasing his side's silkier ball users against the ladder leaders.