The second game for AFL NAB Challenge on Thursday is between Hawthorn Hawks and Brisbane Lions. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.10pm AEDT with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Hawthorn Hawks. View our preview and teams for the game between Hawthorn Hawks and Brisbane Lions.
When: Thursday, 13 February, 7.10pm AEDT
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 18° Mostly Sunny
Featured Bookmakers:
Hawthorn Hawks $1.13 vs Brisbane Lions $5.60 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match
Hawthorn Hawks $1.14 vs Brisbane Lions $5.75 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison:
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| Hawthorn Hawks | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1.14 | 1.13 | 1.13 | 1.13 |
| Brisbane Lions | 5.60 | 5.80 | 5.75 | 5.80 | 5.60 | 5.40 |
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
Our Tip: Hawthorn Hawks to win.
Preview:
REIGNING premier Hawthorn has named a strong team for its NAB Challenge opener against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.
The Hawks will field a squad boasting 13 players who took to the MCG in last year’s Grand Final, while former Saint Ben McEvoy has been named for his first game in the brown and gold.
The Lions, under new coach Justin Leppitsch, named a significantly less experienced squad. Journeyman defenders Matt Maguire and Andrew Raines are the only Lion to have played more than 100 games.
However, Lions fans will get a glimpse of their future with a number of the club’s up and comers earning a chance.
First-round draft pick (No. 7 overall) James Aish will play his first game for the Lions, while fellow youngsters Marco Paparone, Michael Close, Jack Crisp and rookie Jordon Bourke will also take the field on Thursday.
The Hawks have also named a number of emerging players to complement their array of premiership stars.
Angus Litherland, Will Langford, Tim O’Brien, Jonathon Ceglar and Mitch Hallahan and Billy Hartung will all keen to impress coach Alastair Clarkson.
However, exciting forward Dayle Garlett has not been named.
The match will mark the return of Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward for Hawthorn. Both suffered torn anterior cruciate ligament injuries in 2013.
Teams:
HAWTHORN HAWKS 
2. Jarryd Roughead, 3. Jordan Lewis, 4. Matt Suckling, 5. Sam Mitchell, 7. Ben McEvoy, 8. Taylor Duryea, 9. Shaun Burgoyne, 10. Bradley Hill, 13. Kyle Cheney, 16. Isaac Smith, 18. Jonothon Ceglar, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. David Hale, 21. Ben Ross, 22. Luke Breust, 23. Tim O’Brien, 26. Liam Shiels, 28. Paul Puopolo, 29. Will Langford, 30. Luke Lowden, 31. Angus Litherland, 32 Jonathan Simpkin, 33. Cyril Rioli, 35. Sam Grimley, 36. Derick Wanganeen, 38. Mitch Hallahan, 39. Alex Woodward, 40. Billy Hartung, 46. Kurt Heatherley
News:
Billy Hartung has out-performed his fellow young guns on the training track, earning him a spot in Hawthorn’s squad for Thursday’s opening NAB Challenge clash.
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says Hartung has thrived in the tough environment of pre-season training for the defending premiers.
Hartung is a 177cm running machine from Victoria’s Dandenong Stingrays who broke the beep-test record at the AFL Combine in October 2013.
The 19-year-old was taken at pick No.24 by the Hawks in the 2013 draft, while the defending premiers have also recruited 19-year-old Victorian James Sicily (pick 56) and exciting small forward Dayle Garlett, 20, from Western Australia (pick 38).
Garlett was overlooked by AFL clubs in the 2012 draft because of perceived problems with his attitude.
Clarkson says all young recruits come to the AFL ranks with a lot to learn and this takes time.
“Billy Hartung has probably done the most of the training,” Clarkson told reporters on Wednesday after naming Hawthorn’s squad for their clash with the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
“That’s why he gets his chance.
“Billy Hartung has been able to come in and cope with all the demands of training we’ve been able to put towards him.
“He’s flourished with the amount of training that he’s been able to do.
“James Sicily and Dayle Garlett are probably a little bit behind him in terms of their preparation.”
Alex Woodward and Matt Suckling are set for their comeback games for the Hawks after suffering knee injuries during the 2013 pre-season.
The match heralds a new era for the Hawks who begin life without star forward Lance Franklin, who has joined Sydney.
Former St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy will begin his new football career with the Hawks who have lost their 2013 premiership big man Max Bailey due to retirement.
New Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch has rested all his big-name players apart from vice-captain Tom Rockliff.
The Lions have named a 29-man squad which features 24 players with less than 50 senior games’ experience.
Geelong’s 2011 premiership ruckman Trent West will line up for his new club the Lions.
