Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 14 match is between Hawthorn Hawks and Gold Coast Suns. The opening kick is set to commence at 13:45 local time with the game to be played at University of Tasmania Stadium. The home team Hawthorn Hawks are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Gold Coast Suns.
When: 13:45 | Saturday 23/06/2018
Where: University of Tasmania Stadium
Preview:
The Hawks have a favourable draw in their next five games and have a real opportunity to cement a spot in the top 8.
Their backline and midfield were strong last week.
Hawks forward Jack Gunston has been playing at half-back but I prefer him in the forward line where I think he has the most potential to influence games.
Suns continue to struggle in the last quarter and I think it’s a mix of having a young side who aren’t match fit and are still feeling the effects of a tough travel schedule.
KEY BATTLE: Tom Lynch v Hawks backline
I think Hawthorn will rotate against Lynch and almost double team him.
He would need to kick five plus goals for the Suns to have any chance.
The Verdict
Hawthorn way too experienced for the struggling Suns.
Gold Coast has a 16-31 (34.0 percent) line record playing as an away team after a loss since 2012.
Unibet Odds:
Hawthorn at $1.06
Gold Coast at $10.00
Odds:
Tip: Hawthorn Hawks at $1.05
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Luke Bruest at $8.50
More Info:
Teams:
Hawthorn Hawks: 
B Ryan Burton, James Frawley, Ben Stratton
HB Taylor Duryea, James Sicily, Blake Hardwick
C Jack Gunston, Tom Mitchell, Daniel Howe
HF Isaac Smith, Jonathon Ceglar, Jaeger O’Meara
F Shaun Burgoyne, Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo
FOL Ben McEvoy, Liam Shiels, Luke Breust
I/C Jarman Impey, Harry Morrison, Ricky Henderson, Will Langford
EMG Tim O’Brien, Teia Miles, Kaiden Brand, Marc Pittonet
IN: James Frawley
OUT: Kaiden Brand (omitted)
Gold Coast Suns: 
B Jarrod Harbrow, Sam Day, Jesse Joyce
HB Charlie Ballard, Jack Leslie, Lachie Weller
C Josh Schoenfeld, Touk Miller, Aaron Young
HF Nick Holman, Tom J. Lynch, Alex Sexton
F Callum Ah Chee, Peter Wright, Jack Martin
FOL Jarrod Witts, Ben Ainsworth, David Swallow
I/C Jarryd Lyons, Jacob Dawson, Michael Rischitelli, Sean Lemmens
EMG Will Brodie, Brayden Crossley, Jacob Heron, Max Spencer
IN: Peter Wright, Jacob Dawson
OUT: Jack Bowes (Injured), Rory Thompson (Injured)
AFL News:
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has backed star veteran Shaun Burgoyne to continue his decorated AFL career next season.
The Hawks celebrated Burgoyne’s 350-game milestone with a 56-point pummelling of Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night.
The four-time premiership player, one with Port Adelaide and three with Hawthorn, had 24 disposals and capped his big night with a last-quarter goal.
Burgoyne will be 36 by round one of the 2019 AFL season, but Clarkson isn’t ready to farewell a player of his rare class.
“He’s going to go down as one of the game’s greats and I don’t think he is finished yet either,” Clarkson said.
“I think he has still got some good footy left in him.
“Hopefully, he keeps his body in good shape and he gives himself a chance to go around again next year.
“We have just taken it year by year for the last nine and who knows if there is going to be a 10th or 11th, but we are hoping so.”
Burgoyne, who debuted in round three of the 2002 season, played 107 games in a row before a hamstring injury in round two this year broke the streak.
He looms as a key figure as the Hawks look to return to the finals after finishing 12th last year, the first time they’ve finished outside the eight since Burgoyne arrived ahead of the 2010 season.
The Hawks improved to a 7-5 record after a seven-goals-to-nil third quarter against the Crows set up a 12.16 (88) to 4.8 (32) thumping in front of 26,693 fans.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do,” Clarkson said.
“We know that we can compete and we’ve been pretty good at being able to restrict opposition sides to low scores.
“Our trouble over the last four or five weeks is being able to kick a big enough score to win.”
James Frawley will be monitored after he was a late withdrawal with a migraine.
