Preliminary Final: Hawthorn vs. Brisbane preview | Strategy 2026 with Brenton Sanderson (17.09.26)
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What wake‑up call did the Hawks get after their recent loss?
I mean that was a good wake up call for us. That we were we were nowhere near good enough. You know, I think we finished that game with with some mirror looking and saying, Okay, what do we need to do um as a collective, what do we need to do individually to make sure that we're ready to to compete against this level of intensity which which they brought on that night, which we went up to. Um I think I said after that game that I doubt if we played them again it would be the same and we'll see if that's true now.
I think they probably had An off game. So I think you can't read too much into that performance a a few weeks ago. Um it'll be entirely different this week and You know, w we're not even talking about or showing any vision from that game to be honest. It's a it's a new contest, it's a preliminary final. Um they want what we want, so um it'll be different game. Um you know, we're getting ready for the the hardest game we'll ever play in this year, so um that's our approach.
Chris Fagan and Sam Mitchell set the terms for Saturday Twilight at the MCG. Brenton Sanderson runs the strategic eye over these matchups. So the Hawks are in the final four. Have they made the improvements across the season to now be genuine premiership contenders?
Yeah, I re I think they have. Um this would be this is gonna be a great prelim.
How have the Hawks improved this season to become genuine premiership contenders?
This is worthy of the grand final, really. This is uh an epic contest. I think they have Jared. I think this year they've made the necessary adjustments. They're scoring more points from turnover, more times uh per inside fifty scores. Their inside fifty retention on the back of their forward half intercepts and forward pressure has definitely improved. And I just think they're scoring. scoring better from their defense, but they're they're getting faster transitioned. I know that that was sort of like all they had there for a minute, but when they win possession now, they look so damaging. So and I think to build on that, so their offense is good. Um, I think we've seen some defensive improvements again too.
They it's not just simply that they're c they're conceding fewer points. Um I think they're intercepting opposition kicks a lot better, a lot more. Um they're holding up defensively one on one when the ball comes in quickly. That looks better this season. Um and what we saw in in Perth two weeks ago, gee, their pressure their pressure's improved as well. So um when they're in that sort of mood, I don't think anyone can Now the The work in progress is clearance and stoppage.
What offensive and defensive upgrades are the Hawks showing in 2026?
Um it hasn't been a strong area for the Hawks this season, but I still think they they they win enough first possession. Uh they pressure the opposition's clearance wins into dirty exits, so it doesn't come out clean. Um they typically defend the next contest post clearance pretty well. Um and I think they run really hard to outnumber at the next contest as well. So and now you got Day back in there as well with Newcomb. So so So it's not as big a concern as what previously it was earlier, I think, in the season. So I guess if you want to summarise that, I think the twenty twenty six Hawks, they definitely um have the ability to win the pressure battle. They defend um so well behind the ball. They they intercept the ball as well as anyone, they score from turnover, they compete at stoppage, they don't necessarily dominate stoppage, and they're a team that score heavily with so many different ways.
to hit the scoreboard. So so yeah, I think they've gone from being an entertaining team to a premiership capable team. Um They're ready to win it.
What are the Lions
profile? Are they still a premiership team? Well, I've got con some c some concern. They were awesome last week, but um when you look at their defense, so twenty twenty four, twenty twenty five, they rank third in defence and sixth in defence. So in twenty twenty six that's dropped.
Why might the Brisbane Lions be more vulnerable in 2026 than in previous years?
Um they're conceding uh two and a half goals more per game. Um They've still got those strong intercept defenders. They've still got a disciplined defensive structure.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What wake‑up call did the Hawks get after their recent loss?
0:00–1:16
2
How have the Hawks improved this season to become genuine premiership contenders?
1:16–2:21
3
What offensive and defensive upgrades are the Hawks showing in 2026?
2:21–3:35
4
Why might the Brisbane Lions be more vulnerable in 2026 than in previous years?
3:35–4:46
5
What checklist of strengths must the Lions display to win the preliminary final?
4:46–5:59
6
Which areas (stoppage, pressure, small forwards) are the biggest threats for each team?
5:59–7:02
7
Who are the key match‑ups and player battles that could decide the game?
7:02–8:14
8
What is the final prediction for the Hawks vs. Lions preliminary final outcome?
8:14–9:18
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from Whateley
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