If Cyril Rioli is fit Hawthorn has an agonising decision to make ... who do they drop?
THE tantalising occasion of Cyril Rioli's potential return will be tempered by the deep disappointment of the player he replaces.
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THE tantalising occasion of Cyril Rioli's potential return will be tempered by the deep disappointment of the player he replaces.
It loom as a decision between two players - Brad Sewell or Jonathan Simpkin.
Simpkin was the substitute against Geelong in the qualifying final and so happened, he replaced Sewell in the third quarter.
The heart says Sewell plays. The head says it's not so clear cut. There's no room for romance on preliminary final weekend so Sewell will be treated just like any other player.
But he's not.
He's a 200-gamer who has proved himself time and again in the finals environment.
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He will compete against Simpkin who has played just 35 games. Simpkin is a willing athlete, a sometimes a ball magnet, can play wing, half-back, half-forward and can kick goals.
He has also become a recognised substitute player, so if Rioli is selected and Alistair Clarkson opts to play him in a short burst, then a straight swap for Simpkin would seem an obvious selection choice, meaning Sewell would play.
But Simpkin has his admirers at the Hawks.
He played eight of the first 10 games and the past eight from Round 17, four of which were as the sub.
In Round 21 against Fremantle, he had 11 touches in 28 minutes. In Round 22 against Geelong, he had 16 disposals in 50 minutes. He played the full game against Collingwood in Round 23, compiling 27 disposals, five tackles and a goal before donning the vest for the first final against the Cats.
Simpkin is an impact player, so if the Hawks opt for Rioli as a starting 18 player, then Simpkin would seem an obvious selection choice as the sub, meaning Sewell would miss out.
Sewell is 30 and has lost his position as a coalface midfielder. He played mainly half-forward against the Cats in the final and Clarkson couldn't have been more satisfied. He had 14 touches, four marks, six tackles, two score assists and pressured the bejesus out of the Cats defence.
The emergence of Will Langford as a stopper/competitor, the release of Liam Shiels as an out-and-out midfielder, the return of skipper Luke Hodge to the middle and the vast improvement in Jordan Lewis has combined to squeeze Sewell to half-forward..
If Rioli plays and starts, it's would be appear unlikely Sewell would start as the sub.
Sewell's attributes are widely known.
He hunts and competes and his second and third efforts can be the difference between easy takeaway for the opposition or a secondary bounce, or Hawks foray forward.
His finals record up until last year has been phenomenal.
His ranking points jump about 20 points from the home and away to finals, average possessions go from 20.8 to 24.4, his contested possessions from 8.6 to 10.1 and his tackles from 4.4 to 5.9.
In essence, Sewell is a warrior-type and it seems incomprehensible he would be axed for a cut-throat final.
Of course, it all comes down to Rioli's availability.
He trained on Monday and clearly has the support of teammate Jack Gunstan if he plays.
"I'm sure Cyril won't have an issue,'' he said. ''He's an explosive player and he's always got great touch and great feel out there in the game," he said.
Rioli trained the full sessions, made full contact, and played in match simulation on a wing and in the middle.
It was the first green light of the week. The second will come if survives training on Thursday.
Fair bet, Sewell and Simpkin will be watching with interest.
SEPTEMBER FLYER
Brad Sewell - home and away v finals (16 games)
SuperCoach points - 88.2, 106.4
Disposals - 20.8, 24.4
Clearances - 3.7, 4.6
Tackles - 4.4, 5.9
Inside 50s - 3.3, 3.8
Source: CHAMPION DATA
Originally published as If Cyril Rioli is fit Hawthorn has an agonising decision to make ... who do they drop?
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