Replay the live chat as Gerard Healy says Hawthorn will beat Fremantle on Friday night

HAWTHORN’S midfield bats deeper than Fremantle, which is why Gerard Healy has changed his tip ahead of Friday night. Replay the live chat

HAWTHORN’S midfield bats deeper than Fremantle, which is why Gerard Healy has changed his tip ahead of Friday night’s clash at the MCG.

In his weekly live chat, Healy said the winner of the Grand Final rematch would likely be determined by which undermanned side can best cover its missing stars.

The Dockers, without midfield maestros Michael Barlow and Nat Fyfe as well as full-back Zac Dawson, will meet a Hawthorn side potentially missing Sam Mitchell (calf), Luke Hodge (groin) and with Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake still suspended.

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“I’ve changed my tip to the Hawks, but it’s a toss-of-the-coin game based on the omissions,” Healy said.

Gerard Healy gold from live chat: Fyfe/Hunt suspensions fair, Hird a "certainty" to return, big no to Good Friday footy but yes to night GF.

— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) April 3, 2014

“I think the Hawks have slightly better depth and if all the suspected outs are out it leaves the Freo midfield pretty skinny. I think Hawthorn has a better chance to cover their midfield losses, they bat a bit deeper than Freo.”

Healy said for the Dockers to salute the second-string midfielders including Danyle Pearce and Clancee Pearce would need to step up.

Healy also threw his support behind the Thursday night timeslot and a night Grand Final, said he was against footy on Good Friday and backed the battling Swans to square the win-loss ledger by the halfway mark of the season.

The Fox Footy expert also said struggling Western Bulldogs forward Liam Jones could be reborn as a defender and rated James Hird a “certainty” to coach Essendon next season.

News_Module: Gerard Healy live chat