FORM GUIDE
I know it’s often difficult to gauge form from pre-season games, but it would be fair to say that Hawthorn shows no signs of having a ‘premiership hangover’.

In fact, you could argue that the 2014 premiership favourites look even more dangerous – despite losing Lance Franklin over the off-season.

With a far less predictable forward set-up and the emergence of new stars, the Hawks were irresistible during the NAB Challenge series, winning all three of their matches by a combined total of 306 points.

Of course, one of those wins was a 131-point thumping of an incredibly inexperienced Lions outfit last month.

The Lions, meanwhile, have been slowly building throughout the pre-season.

Fans shouldn’t pay too much attention to their first-up NAB Challenge loss to the Hawks – the following two matches against Gold Coast and Sydney were a far greater indication of where the Club sits.

There were promising signs in the team’s commanding win against the undermanned SUNS, and also in the loss to Sydney at Burpengary.

The main concern for the Lions seems to be their scoring power, with the side unable to find an avenue to goal against the Swans despite leading most other key statistical categories, including inside 50s.

In short, Hawthorn deservedly approaches the match as warm favourites, with very few pundits tipping an upset in Launceston.

NEW FACES
The Lions’ Round One side will feature four new faces – not to mention new Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch who’s set to experience his first ever senior AFL match at the helm.

Former Geelong premiership ruckman Trent West will line-up for his first match in Lions colours, while the Club has also opted to inject some youthful exuberance by naming three debutants – James Aish, Michael Close, and Lewis Taylor.

Aish, who was the Lions’ first round selection (Pick No.7 overall) at last year’s Draft, has already experience some form of senior football having played in two premierships with SANFL side Norwood. However, a first-up encounter against the reigning premiers will be a whole new experience.

Close has earned his opportunity following a promising pre-season campaign. A hard-running and aggressive big man, the Lions will be hoping the 19-year-old works well in tandem alongside Jonathan Brown.

Lewis Taylor proved somewhat of a selection surprise considering a foot injury limited the early stages of his pre-season training. But anyone who saw him in the Lions’ recent intra-club match, or even in the NEAFL practice match against Aspley at Burpengary, would understand what value he potentially brings to the team.

Hawthorn will also boast a few new faces, with former St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy the most notable.

McEvoy joined the Hawks from the Saints during the Trade Period, and has looked a dominant figure throughout the NAB Challenge.

23-year-old rookie Derick Wanganeen and teenager Tim O’Brien will also make their senior AFL debuts.

KEY MATCH-UP
Every match-up is key, however if the Lions are to cause an upset, they’ll need to convert their chances up forward.

You can probably expect reigning Hawthorn Best and Fairest Josh Gibson will be given the task of minding Jonathan Brown, while Close will likely be matched-up on by either Grant Birchall or Kyle Cheney, who stands at just 187cm and 90kg but punches well above his weight.

With a relatively undersized backline, this presents an opportunity for one of the resting ruckmen (either West or Matthew Leuenberger) or even Marco Paparone (194cm) to cause some damage in the air.

The Lions’ ‘mosquito fleet’ will be critical to contributing to the scoreboard, with Dayne Zorko, Josh Green, Lewis Taylor, and even Tom Rockliff – who’s been named in the forward pocket – capable of kicking multiples.

But they’ll also need to defensive-minded, with the likes of Matt Suckling, Shaun Burgoyne and Grant Birchall all damaging defenders who help control Hawthorn’s ball movement.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brent Moloney might be the elder statesman of the Lions’ midfield brigade, but the former Melbourne Best and Fairest has been outstanding in each of his two practice matches against the SUNS and Swans.

With retired champion Simon Black now in the coaches’ box, Moloney seems to have assumed the mantle as the team’s ‘midfield general’ and is relishing the greater responsibility.

He’ll have his hands full, however, against the likes of Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis leading the Hawks’ engine room.

Hawthorn might boast the reigning Coleman Medallist in Jarryd Roughead, but the Lions’ defence will need to be equally as wary of Jack Gunston up forward.

Fresh from a near best-on-ground performance in last year’s Grand Final, Gunston booted five goals against the Lions last month at Etihad Stadium and looks set for a big year.

Expect either Joel Patfull or Justin Clarke to do their best to curtail his influence on the contest.

MISSING IN ACTION

The Lions are relatively healthy in terms of injuries, but all of Brent Staker (calf), Luke McGuane (knee), and Ash McGrath (calf) would have been valuable additions to the side if fit.

But their absence has opened the door for some young blood to put forward their case for a more regular senior spot.

Hawthorn, meanwhile, will be without Norm Smith Medallist Brian Lake, along with other premiership stars including Cyril Rioli, Brad Sewell and Ben Stratton.

Lake and Rioli are serving suspensions from last year’s Grand Final, while Sewell and Stratton have been ruled out with injury.

RECENT HISTORY
With both sides sitting at different ends of the AFL ladder in recent seasons, it’s no surprise that the Lions haven’t had a great deal of success against Hawthorn of late.

Pre-season matches aside, the Lions haven’t beaten the Hawks since 2009 – the same year the Club last participated in Finals.

Hawthorn have won the past four meetings by an average margin of 10 goals. 

GOOD NEWS FROM THE GABBA
Lions members and supporters would have been excited to hear that Jack Redden, Josh Green and Vice-Captain Tom Rockliff all re-signed with the Club during the week.

Those players have shown enormous faith in the direction that Senior Coach Justin Leppitsch wants to take the Club in the future, and the positive news can only help to galvanise the team ahead of Saturday.

Fans can expect the announcement of some more re-signings next week.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN
Many have made their minds up that season 2014 is a write-off for the Lions, and consider the match against Hawthorn a foregone conclusion.

But the Lions have proven that in a head-to-head contest, anything can happen. The Lions have shown as recently as last year, against both Essendon and Geelong, that they are capable of causing a huge upset.

LIONS RESERVES
The Lions Reserves will face Redland in a NEAFL practice match this Saturday 22 March at Casheezi Park.

The game commences at the early time of 12 noon with both sides wrapping up preparations for the season proper, which begins next weekend.